Conrado Hübner Mendes argues that Brazil’s Constitution is not merely the document adopted in 1988, but a political, moral and legal commitment to a particular vision of society. His column reflects on President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s statements about listening to the public and the responsibilities those promises entail.
The article cites Lula’s address to the United Nations General Assembly in September 2026, which raised concerns about democracy, Brazilian sovereignty, the rule of law and the value of preserving forests. It also refers to his victory speech a month later, in which Lula said he had learned from the popular mobilization behind his reelection and promised to change how the country is governed and involve people more in decisions.
Mendes distinguishes between the Constitution’s institutional rules, which define the powers and limits of public officials, and its broader aims. These include pursuing a free and plural society, resisting oligarchic and authoritarian forces, sustaining democracy, accounting for the past and protecting the prospects of future generations.
The author questions whether Lula has acted consistently with his promise to listen, pointing to what he describes as longstanding demands from supporters for greater diversity, impartiality and institutional rigor in government and judicial appointments. He also refers to reports of pressure from a group within Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court and Senate President Davi Alcolumbre over appointments to vacancies on higher courts.
For Mendes, constitutional fidelity cannot be reduced to staged public consultation or behind-the-scenes compromises. He argues that it requires the courage to resist pressure from political and judicial power brokers, warning that pragmatism should not become complicity in institutional decline.
Sources: Folha Poder.