Lula proclaims Ricardo Lewandowski as new justice minister

Former Supreme Court Justice Ricardo Lewandowski will take over the Ministry of Justice and Public Security.

The announcement was made Thursday (Jan. 11) by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in a speech at the Planalto presidential palace.

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Current Minister Flávio Dino is stepping down after being appointed to a seat on the Supreme Court left empty following the compulsory retirement of Justice Rosa Weber, who turned 75 in October last year.

For personal reasons, the appointment of the new minister will take place on January 19 and the inauguration is scheduled for February 1. Until then, Minister Dino should remain in office.

President Lula said he met Lewandowski at the age of 28, when the latter worked in the São Bernardo do Campo city hall.

Lewandowski stepped down as Supreme Court justice on April 11, 2023, after having brought forward his retirement by a month. He turned 75 on May 11, when he was due to retire compulsorily.

Born in Rio de Janeiro, the former minister graduated from the University of São Paulo (USP), the same institution where he earned his master’s and doctorate degrees, and where he has taught since 1978.

In Lewandowski’s place, the president nominated lawyer Cristiano Zanin.