Brazil's Congress voted on Thursday to override a presidential veto and adopt a bill that could significantly reduce the prison sentence of former President Jair Bolsonaro, who was convicted last year for his role in an attempted coup. The move represents a major political setback for President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, as reported by both France 24 and The Guardian.
Coverage Comparison
The vote took place in a joint session, with the lower house casting 318 votes in favor of overriding the veto, surpassing the 257 required, and the Senate following with 49 votes against 41 needed, according to The Guardian. France 24 described the legislation as a blow to Lula, noting that it indicates a weakening of his position in Congress ahead of the presidential election in October.
Both outlets highlighted that this was the second significant defeat for Lula within 24 hours, following the Senate's rejection of his nominee to the Supreme Court, which The Guardian noted was a historic event, as Lula became the first president in more than 130 years to have a court nominee rejected.
The bill had initially been passed by Congress in December, but Lula vetoed it in January, a symbolic move marking three years since Bolsonaro supporters stormed the capital, Brasília. The conservative opposition, led by figures including Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, a son of the former president, successfully drew centrist senators and deputies to override the veto, as reported by both sources.
Key Claims
According to The Guardian, if the new legislation is confirmed by a Supreme Court justice, Bolsonaro's sentence would be reduced from 27 years and three months to 22 years and one month. Additionally, the time he must serve in a closed regime could drop from an estimated four to six years to between two and four years, potentially allowing him to move to an open regime as early as 2028. This claim has not been independently verified.
France 24 reported that the move could shave up to 20 years off Bolsonaro's sentence, though this is an estimate and the exact reduction remains unclear. The former president, who began his sentence in November, is currently under house arrest, a fact confirmed by both sources.
The new law, as described by France 24, reduces prison terms for several crimes, including those against the democratic rule of law and leading a coup, when a person is convicted of both. The legislation stipulates that the sentence should be based only on the count carrying the highest punishment. The Guardian added that the law would also affect about 280 others convicted in connection with the attempted coup.
Perspectives
Supporters of Bolsonaro have welcomed the vote as a first step. Senator Espiridião Amin, a Bolsonaro ally, told France 24: "This is a first and much awaited step by those who are afflicted. The next stage is full amnesty." However, legal challenges are expected. Pedro Uczai, the Workers' Party whip in the lower house, announced he will appeal to the Supreme Court to annul the legislation, arguing that it is unconstitutional, according to France 24. The court has yet to receive the complaint.
Neither Bolsonaro nor Lula has commented publicly on the vote. The reduction of Bolsonaro's sentence will not be automatic; his lawyers will need to file a request for a sentence review with the Supreme Court, as reported by The Guardian.
Analysts in both reports suggest that this vote, coupled with the Supreme Court nominee rejection, indicates that Lula faces a difficult reelection campaign, as polls show him virtually tied with Flávio Bolsonaro, who is expected to be a candidate.