Brasília – Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has warned that the country’s Supreme Federal Court (STF) risks being “undermined” if Congress overrides his veto of a law that would reduce sentences for those convicted of attempting to overthrow the government, including his predecessor, Jair Bolsonaro.
Lula vetoed the legislation, known as the “Dosimetry Law,” late last year. The bill, approved by Congress, altered the criteria for calculating sentences for those convicted of involvement in the attempted coup. According to reports, the law was designed to lessen the penalties for participants in the January 8, 2023 attacks on government buildings in Brasília.
Bolsonaro was sentenced to 27 years and three months in prison for allegedly orchestrating a plan to prevent Lula from assuming office after the 2022 elections. The proposed law could potentially reduce his effective prison time to around three years, according to analyses of the legislation.
Speaking in an interview with Aratu television channel, from the state of Bahia, Lula da Silva argued that releasing those convicted would damage the credibility of the STF. That citizen has to remain imprisoned,
he stated, referring to Bolsonaro.
Having been vetoed by the President, the law can be reviewed by the National Congress, which has the authority to overturn the presidential decision. Should Congress succeed in overriding the veto, sentences could be significantly reduced. This has prompted concern from Lula’s administration, which is reportedly considering challenging any override decision in the Supreme Federal Court.
The potential for Congress to overturn the veto highlights the ongoing political tensions in Brazil following the highly contested 2022 presidential election. Bolsonaro, a far-right politician, has consistently questioned the integrity of the electoral process and retains significant support within Congress. His supporters stormed the Congress, presidential palace, and Supreme Court on , in an attempt to disrupt the transfer of power.
The events of drew comparisons to the attack on the U.S. Capitol, and prompted a crackdown on Bolsonaro supporters. Approximately 2,000 people were arrested in connection with the riots, facing charges related to destruction of public property, conspiracy, and attempting to undermine Brazil’s democratic institutions.
The “Dosimetry Law” has been criticized by Lula’s supporters as an attempt to grant amnesty to those involved in the attempted coup. They argue that reducing sentences would send a dangerous message and embolden anti-democratic forces. Opponents of the veto, however, contend that the law is simply aimed at ensuring fairer sentencing guidelines and addressing perceived inconsistencies in the application of justice.
The debate over the law also comes amid broader discussions about accountability for the events surrounding the 2022 election and the subsequent attacks on government buildings. Lula da Silva has repeatedly vowed to hold those responsible accountable, while Bolsonaro and his allies have maintained their innocence and accused the government of political persecution.
The potential for a congressional override of Lula’s veto sets the stage for a constitutional showdown between the executive and legislative branches. The Supreme Federal Court is likely to play a crucial role in resolving the dispute, and its decision could have far-reaching implications for Brazil’s political landscape and the future of its democracy.
The situation is being closely watched internationally, as Brazil is a key regional power and a major player in global affairs. Concerns about democratic backsliding and political polarization are growing worldwide, and the events in Brazil are seen as a test case for the resilience of democratic institutions in the face of rising extremism.
Lula made these statements while on official business in the state of Bahia.
