BRASÍLIA (FN). Brazil’s Congress has voted to override President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s veto and approve legislation that drastically reduces former President Jair Bolsonaro’s 27‑year prison sentence for plotting a coup, a move that could cut his term by about 20 years and reshape the country’s political landscape ahead of October’s election.
Lawmakers passed the measure on April 30, comfortably overriding Lula’s objections. The bill reduces prison terms for crimes against democratic rule of law and coup‑plotting when convicted of both, a change analysts say could leave Bolsonaro serving as little as seven years. He has been under house arrest since November.
The vote was celebrated by Bolsonaro’s allies, including his son, Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, who called it “a first step toward justice.” Opposition conservatives rallied centrist senators and deputies to secure the override, highlighting Lula’s weakened position in Congress.
Lula’s Workers’ Party vowed to challenge the law in the Supreme Court, arguing it is unconstitutional and undermines accountability for attacks on democracy. “This is a dangerous precedent that rewards those who undermine our institutions,” party leaders said in a statement.
Bolsonaro was convicted in 2025 for leading a coup attempt after losing the presidential election, a case that recalled the January 8, 2023 riots in Brasília, when his supporters stormed government buildings in scenes compared to the U.S. Capitol attack.
The legislation could also benefit dozens of Bolsonaro supporters convicted in coup‑related trials, raising concerns among legal experts about broader amnesty. Analysts warn the decision underscores Lula’s fragile coalition and could embolden Bolsonaro’s base as the election approaches.
For now, Bolsonaro remains under house arrest, but the prospect of a drastically reduced sentence has reignited debate over justice, democracy, and political accountability in Brazil.
