Supreme Court faces fallout from Master scandal - Valor International

Public trust in Brazil’s Federal Supreme Court declined after the disclosure of the Banco Master scandal, with nearly half of respondents (49%) saying they do not trust the court, according to a Genial/Quaest survey released Thursday (12). Among those interviewed, 72% believe the Supreme Court has too much power and 66% say it is important to vote for a Senate candidate committed to impeaching justices.

Investigations involving Banco Master have so far indicated links between justices Alexandre de Moraes and Dias Toffoli and the bank’s owner, Daniel Vorcaro, who was re-arrested last week by the Federal Police on suspicion of leading a multibillion-real fraud scheme, and particularly on allegations of trying to intimidate journalists and witnesses. The justices deny any involvement in wrongdoing.

The scandal has affected the image of several institutions but has had the greatest impact on public perception of the Judiciary, according to the survey. When asked which institution was most affected by the Banco Master scandal, 13% said the Supreme Court or Judiciary, 11% cited the government of former president Jair Bolsonaro, and 10% pointed to the government of President Lula. Another 5% mentioned the Central Bank of Brazil, 3% cited Congress and 1% said none of them. However, 40% believe that “all of them” were affected by the scandal.

When measuring the impact of the case on voting behavior, the survey found that 38% would avoid voting for any candidate involved in the Master scandal. For 29%, the issue should be considered but alongside other factors. Another 20% said the allegations involving the bank do not affect their choice of candidate, while 13% did not respond.

The Supreme Court has two justices associated with the Master case. Dias Toffoli stepped down as rapporteur after it emerged that a company in which he is a partner had business dealings with Fabiano Zettel, brother-in-law of Daniel Vorcaro. Alexandre de Moraes, according to a report by O Globo, appeared in message exchanges with the banker. In addition, the law firm of Viviane Barci, Moraes’s wife, maintained a R$130 million contract with Banco Master between 2024 and 2025.

Following the revelations and Vorcaro’s arrest, perceptions of the Supreme Court shifted. In the survey, 49% said they do not trust the Supreme Court, while 43% said they do trust it. In the four previous surveys—conducted in November 2022 during the Bolsonaro administration and in August 2023, July 2024 and August 2025 under the Lula government—a majority of respondents said they trusted the court. In the previous survey round with the same question, 50% said they trusted the Supreme Court and 47% said they did not.

Trust in the court varies by political alignment. Among Lula supporters, 71% trust the STF and 21% do not; among non-Lula left-wing voters, 77% trust it and 18% do not. Among independents, 51% do not trust the court and 36% do. Among non-Bolsonaro right-wing voters, 77% do not trust it and 20% do. Among Bolsonaro supporters, 84% say they do not trust the Supreme Court and 13% say they do.

In another question, respondents were asked whether they agreed or disagreed with a statement that the Supreme Courthas too much power. A total of 72% agreed, 18% disagreed, 2% neither agreed nor disagreed and 8% did not respond.

Asked whether it is important to vote for a Senate candidate committed to impeaching justices, 66% agreed, 22% disagreed, 2% neither agreed nor disagreed and 10% did not respond.

Another question asked whether the Supreme Court is an ally of the Lula government. For 59% of respondents, the court is aligned with the government, while 26% disagreed. Another 3% neither agreed nor disagreed and 12% did not respond.

The survey was conducted between March 6 and March 9 with 2,004 interviews and is registered with Brazil’s electoral court under number BR-05809/2026.

This article was translated from Valor Econômico using an artificial intelligence tool under the supervision of the Valor International editorial team to ensure accuracy, clarity, and adherence to our editorial standards. Read our Editorial Principles.