Brazil's President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, has wielded his executive power to block a controversial bill that would have drastically reduced the prison sentence of his far-right predecessor, Jair Bolsonaro. The decisive veto was delivered on Thursday, a date marking the third anniversary of the violent riots in Brasília by Bolsonaro supporters.
A Symbolic Veto on a Sombre Anniversary
Lula announced his rejection of the legislation during a ceremony at the Planalto presidential palace, one of the very buildings stormed by rioters on 8 January 2023. He framed the anniversary as a day of democratic triumph, stating it represented a “victory over those who tried to seize power by force, disregarding the will expressed at the ballot box.”
The bill, passed by Brazil's conservative-dominated congress in December, sought to slash Bolsonaro's sentence from 27 years to just over two years. The 70-year-old former leader was convicted in November for his role in a plot to cling to power after narrowly losing the 2022 election to Lula.
The Coup Plot and Capitol-Style Chaos
Bolsonaro's conviction stemmed from a detailed scheme prosecutors allege was designed to prevent Lula from taking office. The plot reportedly included plans to assassinate key figures, including Lula, his vice-president, and a supreme court judge. Authorities state the plan ultimately failed due to a lack of military backing.
The political tension exploded a week after Lula's inauguration, when thousands of Bolsonaro supporters, in scenes reminiscent of the 2021 US Capitol attack, ransacked Brazil's Congress, Supreme Court, and presidential palace. They demanded military intervention to overthrow the newly elected government.
Political Battle and Health Concerns
While Lula has made his opposition to the bill clear, the political struggle is not over. Brazil's congress holds the final authority and could still overturn the presidential veto, setting the stage for a further constitutional clash.
Meanwhile, Bolsonaro's health has been a focal point for his defence team. He has suffered serious complications since a 2018 stabbing and was hospitalised in December. His lawyers have repeatedly, and so far unsuccessfully, appealed for him to serve his sentence under house arrest on medical grounds. Following a recent fall in prison, he was given a clean bill of health by doctors.
Under current sentencing rules, Bolsonaro is expected to serve a minimum of eight years in jail. The vetoed bill also aimed to benefit others convicted over the coup attempt and more than 100 individuals imprisoned for their roles in the January 2023 riots.
