The main goal of management will be to expand the list of legitimate persons who can invoke the jurisdiction of the court to provide opinions
Retired STF (Supreme Federal Court) Minister Ricardo Lewandowski will take command of Mercosur's TPR (Permanent Court of Review) from January 1, 2024. The term of office is 1 year.
The main goal of the Lewandowski government will be to expand the list of legitimate persons who can activate the Court's jurisdiction to issue opinions. The aim is to create more security for internal and external investments within Mercosur.
Lewandowski joined the court on July 29, 2023, representing Brazil as chief arbitrator.
The TPR is the jurisdiction of Mercosur. Ensures the correct interpretation, application and compliance with the rules governing the block. Operations began on August 13, 2004. The headquarters are in Asunción (Paraguay).
The Court acts as the sole and final authority for the settlement of disputes addressed directly by the Member States (Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and Bolivia) and as a review body for arbitration decisions made in certain cases. In addition, it issues opinions that can be requested by the Member States, their supreme courts or the decisionmaking bodies of Mercosur.
Lewandowski is one of those that President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) is considering taking over the Ministry of Justice and Public Security in place of Flávio Dino, who was confirmed as the new STF minister in place of Rosa Weber.
According to Clarita Maia, President of the International Relations Commission of the OABDF (Brazilian Bar Association of the Federal District), there is no law that prohibits the President of Mercosur TPR from holding another position at the same time. In other words: If Lewandowski were nominated as justice minister, there would be no legal obstacle to holding both positions.
However, according to the expert, the problem if Lewandowski were to serve as justice minister and president of the Mercosur TPR at the same time is that he would have to have greater availability that a minister does not have.