BRASILIA — Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva declared on Thursday his firm intention to veto legislative measures that would substantially diminish the 27-year prison sentence of his predecessor, Jair Bolsonaro. The former leader remains incarcerated since November following convictions related to attempted coup activities against Brazil’s democratic institutions.
The controversial legislation, which cleared both the Chamber of Deputies and Senate this week, proposes significant modifications to Brazil’s penal system. It would accelerate the transition of convicted individuals from stringent to more lenient prison regimes and provide sentence reductions of up to two-thirds for crimes committed within crowd contexts—provisions that would directly benefit participants in the January 8, 2023, insurrection in Brasília.
President Lula emphasized to journalists that those who committed crimes against Brazilian democracy must face appropriate consequences for their actions. His administration maintains that the proposed law undermines judicial accountability for acts threatening constitutional order.
The legislative proposal faces additional challenges beyond presidential veto. Brazil’s Supreme Court is expected to review the bill’s constitutionality, particularly regarding provisions that would prevent cumulative sentencing for related offenses such as abolishing democratic rule and attempting a coup d’état—a central argument in Bolsonaro’s legal appeal.
Political tensions surrounding the legislation have ignited nationwide demonstrations. Tens of thousands of Brazilians protested in major cities including São Paulo, Salvador, and the capital Brasília over the weekend, expressing opposition to what many perceive as special treatment for political figures convicted of anti-democratic actions.
The developments occur against the backdrop of emerging electoral dynamics. Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, the former president’s eldest son and potential presidential candidate, has endorsed the legislation while criticizing the legitimacy of the judicial process against his father. Political analysts anticipate he may challenge President Lula in the 2026 elections, representing the Bolsonaro-aligned Liberal Party.