“Gilmarpalooza”: Chega wants to investigate Gilmar Mendes’ influence in Portugal

The Portuguese populist and nationalist right-wing Chega party announced this week that it will conduct its own investigation into Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Gilmar Mendes. According to party leader André Ventura, the reason for this would be the high number of complaints received regarding the judge's alleged "influence, assets and network of interests" on Portuguese soil.

The initiative comes on the eve of the new edition of an event informally nicknamed by critics as “ GilmarPalooza ” — an annual meeting promoted by Gilmar Mendes in Lisbon, which brings together STF ministers, Brazilian politicians, businessmen, jurists and Portuguese authorities, under the official pretext of academic and legal seminars.

Ventura stated that “we all know that the Lula government and its friends had and still have a large group of friends in Portugal who are willing to cushion their blows, even taking into account the dictatorship that Brazil is becoming.” He added: “That time, if it depends on CHEGA, will end.”

What is "GilmarPalooza"?

The name is an ironic combination of the justice's name and the famous music festival “Lollapalooza”. The term went viral among critics of the Supreme Court in Brazil and is used to refer to the informal and luxurious gatherings organized by Gilmar Mendes in the European summer, especially in Lisbon, where the judge maintains strong political and academic connections.

Although the event has the façade of holding legal forums — such as the Lisbon Legal Forum, promoted by the Getúlio Vargas Foundation (FGV) and the Brazilian Institute of Education, Development and Research (IDP), of which Gilmar is a partner —, it has gained the reputation of a behind-the-scenes fraternization between STF ministers, parliamentarians, government officials and businesspeople, many of whom are targets of lawsuits in Brazil.

Last year's controversies

In the 2024 edition, “GilmarPalooza” generated strong negative repercussions. The presence of ministers from the STF, members of the Lula government, as well as parliamentarians and businessmen, raised criticism regarding the promiscuity between the powers and the lack of transparency.

Images of lavish dinners, sightseeing tours and wine-fueled get-togethers circulated on social media. At the time, opponents accused the event of being a symbol of “collusion between the Judiciary and the Executive” and questioned the financing of the seminars and trips — since part of the costs are covered by public institutions or sponsors linked to the private sector.

Chega's decision could create diplomatic embarrassment, especially because the Brazilian Supreme Court maintains close relations with Portuguese universities and legal institutions. It could also further heighten the political climate regarding the actions of the Brazilian Judiciary, which has been the constant target of criticism for alleged abuses of authority and politicization.

With the announcement of new research and the proximity of the next edition of the event in Lisbon, which will take place from July 2 to 7, “GilmarPalooza” returns to the center of public debate — this time, not only in Brazil, but also in Portugal.