TSE ministers see the PF investigation into foreign interference as an exaggeration
Quick Look
Three TSE ministers and assistants to Kassio Nunes Marques and André Mendonça consider the opening of preliminary proceedings by the PF on alleged foreign interference in the 2026 elections to be exaggerated, claiming that the action could judicialize the election and unduly question the results of the polls.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The Federal Police opened a preliminary investigation procedure into suspected interference and external financing in the 2026 elections, at the request of the AGU, after previous tensions in the conduct of investigations into Banco Master between minister André Mendonça and the PF.
A wing of ministers from the TSE (Superior Electoral Court) assesses that the opening of a preliminary investigation into foreign interference in the 2026 elections is an "exaggeration" by the PF (Federal Police) and reflects an attempt to weaken the management of Kassio Nunes Marques.
Three magistrates interviewed by Folha and two assistants to Kassio and minister André Mendonça, vice-president of the TSE, understand that this type of action on the part of the PF could pave the way for a judicialization of the election and raise undue questions about the results of the polls.
The general director of the PF, Andrei Rodrigues, stated this Sunday (4), after being questioned by journalists, that the corporation opened a preliminary investigation procedure to analyze suspicions of interference and external financing in the country. The request came from the AGU (Attorney General of the Union).
Rodrigues said that there is still no formal police investigation opened into this. According to him, the PF Intelligence Directorate is in the process of examining all the information received in this regard and then evaluating what the next steps will be.
"It is already an ongoing investigation, but the police investigation order has not yet been established. There is a prior procedure that we follow which is natural in all processes", said the director general of the PF during a visit to the CICCN (Integrated Center for National Command and Control).
Mendonça's allies see in this episode new evidence of the tensions observed between the minister and the PF in the conduct of investigations into Banco Master, which escalated to the point where the magistrate ordered the general director removed. The decision ended up being reversed by decision of Minister Flávio Dino.
In a speech this Saturday (3), Kassio said that the elections are not "under concrete threat, whether international or from organized crime". At a press conference around 2pm this Sunday, he once again said that the reports did not indicate "any risk" of foreign interference.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
The TSE may try to limit or block the progress of the PF investigation into foreign interference.
Possible · Within weeks
Open Questions
- What are the suspected foreign interference being investigated?
- Will the PF investigation progress to a formal police inquiry?
- How does the TSE intend to respond to the PF’s actions if the conflict persists?
