Just last month, Brazil’s former president, Jair Bolsonaro, was sentenced to 27 years in prison and disqualified from holding future office after being found guilty of orchestrating a coup. This conviction, stemming from unusually strong evidence, including a written plan, seemed like it should have been the final word.
However, the verdict has only fueled further unrest. Bolsonaro’s supporters are protesting, and some politicians are even pushing for an amnesty bill to free him, which in turn has sparked more protests. What one Supreme Court justice hoped would be “the healing of wounds” has clearly not come to pass; Brazil’s societal divisions remain stark.
This situation in Brazil highlights a critical global challenge: courts worldwide are struggling to fulfill their fundamental role. While their primary duty is to uphold the law and stabilize democracy by acting as impartial arbiters, political polarization is making this increasingly difficult.
When polarization and deep-seated institutional mistrust pervade a society, even rulings from genuinely independent courts can fail to bring stability. In fact, they sometimes inadvertently contribute to further destabilization.
A Global Challenge: Brazil, France, Turkey, and Beyond
High-profile political figures in countries like Brazil, Turkey, France, and even the United States have faced criminal charges in recent years. What’s truly remarkable is how these prosecutions are perceived almost identically, regardless of how independent the courts involved are.
-
In Turkey, Istanbul’s mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, was arrested on corruption and terrorism charges just as he emerged as a strong rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
-
Across Europe, France’s far-right leader, Marine Le Pen, was convicted of embezzlement, preventing her from running in the 2027 presidential election, despite polls suggesting she could defeat President Emmanuel Macron.
It’s worth noting that international assessments of judicial independence rank France significantly higher than Turkey, where many believe President Erdogan manipulates state institutions to target political opponents. Yet, the public backlash following these rulings sounded eerily similar in both nations.
-
“We are faced with a coup attempt against our next president,” declared the head of Turkey’s main opposition party.
-
Le Pen’s close ally dramatically stated that French democracy “has been executed.”
In today’s highly charged atmosphere, it’s increasingly difficult for many citizens to distinguish between court decisions driven by political motives and those that are truly independent but simply deliver an unpopular outcome.
I spoke to Ivan Krastev, a leading political scientist and expert on democratic decline, shared his insights with me. He explained that voters globally perceive every election as a fight for democracy’s survival, and consequently, they view court decisions about prominent candidates through this intense, partisan lens. These rulings then exacerbate polarization and erode public trust even further.
Navigating a Slippery Slope
Traditionally, independent courts are meant to be insulated from political pressures and public opinion. This design, however, serves a larger purpose: fostering a resilient democracy.
Krastev argues that when a court ruling has the potential to politically destabilize a nation, the judiciary “can’t afford to be uninterested.” He suggests that if disqualifying a leading candidate could lead to greater societal upheaval than the original offense, judges might need to consider that broader impact. This isn’t about granting impunity, but rather finding a delicate balance between dispensing justice and maintaining social cohesion.
This inherent tension isn’t a new concept, often seen in cases of clearly political crimes (Brazil, for example, has a history of political amnesties). However, it’s far less explored when politicians face charges like embezzlement or corruption. Such cases raise difficult questions: At what point does a politician’s profile make a judicial outcome politically sensitive? And which crimes are simply too severe to warrant leniency for the sake of stability?
For many seasoned judges, this kind of political calculus is completely anathema. Nancy Gertner, a retired U.S. District Court judge and current Harvard Law School faculty member, described such a prospect as “a very troubling slippery slope.”
Ultimately, Krastev asserts, the perceived politicization of the courts isn’t the root problem, but a symptom of a deeper crisis in democracy itself. In the United States, for instance, public confidence in the judiciary has plummeted to a record low of 35 percent, exacerbated by President Trump’s strong denunciations of his own legal battles. When the very judges tasked with upholding the law become as polarizing as the political figures they prosecute, democracy faces a profound challenge.
Beyond the Bench: More Global Headlines
Yesterday, Israeli naval forces intercepted multiple vessels carrying humanitarian aid destined for Gaza, part of a larger flotilla.
This incident follows three prior unsuccessful attempts to reach Gaza by sea, one of which involved a boat struck by explosions. The intercepted flotilla comprised 40 vessels and included prominent activists such as Greta Thunberg and Nelson Mandela’s grandson, Mandla Mandela.
For nearly two years, Israel has restricted humanitarian aid into Gaza, contributing to alarming levels of malnutrition. The International Committee of the Red Cross announced yesterday that it had to halt operations in Gaza City due to the escalating Israeli military campaign. A proposed U.S.-Israeli peace plan includes a promise for “full aid” to be delivered “immediately” upon a deal, but Hamas has yet to respond to this offer.
Remembering the Remarkable Jane Goodall
Jane Goodall, renowned for her groundbreaking research into the unique behaviors of wild chimpanzees in East Africa, has left an indelible legacy as a dedicated conservation activist.
She passed away yesterday in California at the age of 91.
During the early 1960s, Goodall revolutionized primatology by becoming the first to document chimpanzees consuming meat and utilizing tools, significantly broadening our comprehension of primate intelligence. In a past interview, she reflected on her studies, stating, “That we’ve been very arrogant in thinking that we’re so separate.”
In Other News
-
Markets wavered over the effects of the U.S. government shutdown. While many services were disrupted, airports reported few delays.
-
A powerful earthquake in the central Philippines tragically killed at least 69 people.
-
Russia has warned of retaliation if E.U. leaders proceed with plans to unfreeze $165 billion in Russian assets for Ukraine.
-
Trump signed an executive order pledging to defend Qatar, even with military action, should the country come under attack.
-
The lead perpetrator of a group of men who raped two teenage girls in England received a 35-year prison sentence.
-
A doctor in Sudan, who had bravely described the horrors of war, was tragically killed days later in a missile strike on a mosque.
Sports Highlights
Tennis: Coco Gauff and Belinda Bencic engaged in a heated dispute over “mind games” during the China Open.
Football: An intriguing look into how clubs safeguard their most promising teenage talents.
Word of the Day
“Nazif”
— This is a term a Cairo barber might use to describe a “neat” or “presentable” appearance. Makana Eyre’s piece in The Times Magazine highlights how barbershops offer a unique window into local culture and its definitions of masculinity.
Your Morning Read
Imagine if your city regulated your daily screen time.
In Toyoake, Japan, a new ordinance aims to cap daily use of smartphones, tablets, game consoles, and computers at two hours, excluding work and school.
While this measure is largely symbolic and won’t involve actual monitoring, city officials hope that in a culture valuing adherence to official directives, it will encourage residents to prioritize sleep and family time.
Find out more about this fascinating social experiment.
Global Snapshots
At Shenzhen, China’s towering SEG Plaza, the lunchtime rush means agonizing half-hour elevator waits, a significant challenge for food delivery drivers.
The innovative solution? A gig economy operating within a gig economy: an informal network of “last-mile runners,” often teenagers or retirees. These runners collect orders at the curb for approximately 2 yuan (about 28 cents) per trip and race them up the skyscraper. This is the reality of delivering lunch to the 70th floor.
Our Top Recommendations
Travel: Discover Europe’s most enchanting landscapes with these five incredible rail journeys.
Read: Dive into the unique world of Thomas Pynchon; here’s your essential guide to his groundbreaking works.
Work in style: Get inspired by T magazine’s curated selection of the finest home office designs.
Recipe of the Day
Try this tomato-infused take on classic Sichuan mapo tofu. For the best umami, seek out doubanjiang (fermented chile and bean paste) from Pixian, Sichuan!
Where in the World Is This?
Can you identify this stunning bridge?
-
Albania
-
North Macedonia
-
Greece
-
Montenegro
Time to Play
Challenge yourself with today’s Spelling Bee, Mini Crossword, Wordle, and Sudoku. Discover all our games in one place!
That’s all for today! See you tomorrow! — Katrin
We value your thoughts! Send your suggestions to theworld@nytimes.com.