Brazil Supreme Court's new chief justice faces stormy ties with Congress

New President of Supreme Court, Roberto Barroso, gestures after a ceremony, where he was sworn in for the office, in Brasilia, Brazil September 28, 2023. REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino

BRASILIA (Reuters) - Luis Roberto Barroso, a liberal who has favored legalizing abortion and criminalizing homophobia in his 10 years on Brazil's Supreme Court, became chief justice on Thursday as the court's relations chilled with Congress over allegations of judicial overreach.

Barroso, 65, an outspoken jurist known for his progressive views, is expected to face backlash from a conservative-led Congress where lawmakers vow to curb the top court's influence on hot-button social issues and human rights debates.