Legislation that would substantially reduce Jair Bolsonaro’s prison sentence for attempting to overthrow Brazil’s democratic government has passed congress, triggering immediate opposition from President Lula. The bill would cut the former president’s 27-year sentence through a mechanism that consolidates related criminal charges. Final congressional approval came from the senate on Wednesday evening.
President Lula spoke directly about his intentions when questioned by journalists, making clear that he will veto the legislation when it arrives for his signature. He emphasized that crimes against democracy require appropriate accountability and consequences. The president also acknowledged the political dynamics that could lead to a veto override by the conservative-majority legislature.
Legal analysis suggests the bill would dramatically alter Bolsonaro’s incarceration timeline, reducing his minimum high-security detention from six years to just over two years. This outcome results from combining sentences for multiple related offenses while applying only the penalty for the most serious charge. Additional credits for good behavior and educational activities would further reduce time served.
Bolsonaro’s current situation includes detention in a special cell at federal police headquarters, where security arrangements accommodate his status as a former head of state. His legal team is working to obtain authorization for medical treatment, specifically surgery to address a hernia condition. Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, representing the family’s political interests and positioned as a potential 2026 presidential candidate, has publicly characterized the legislation as a pragmatic compromise.
The bill’s scope extends beyond Bolsonaro himself, providing sentence reductions for dozens of military officers and hundreds of civilians convicted in connection with the coup attempt and related violence. This wide-ranging application has sparked concern among those who viewed the original convictions as essential for establishing accountability norms. Public opinion research demonstrates that most Brazilians disagree with reducing these sentences, revealing tension between legislative action and popular sentiment.