Brazil’s Congress has voted to sharply reduce Jair Bolsonaro’s prison term, dealing President Lula another political setback.
Brazil’s Congress has overturned President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s veto of a bill that drastically reduces former president Jair Bolsonaro’s 27-year prison sentence for plotting a coup after losing the 2022 election. Lawmakers voted on Thursday to change how prison terms are calculated, cutting Bolsonaro’s sentence to just over two years. The law could still face a Supreme Court challenge.
Bolsonaro, 71, was sentenced last year after being found guilty of attempting to retain power unlawfully. Supreme Court justices said he knew of plans to assassinate Lula and vice-president Geraldo Alckmin. The conspiracy collapsed after failing to secure support from senior military leaders, allowing Lula to be sworn in on January 1, 2023.
Following the vote, supporters celebrated in Congress, chanting freedom and Flavio Bolsonaro’s name. “I thank the deputies and senators for this very special birthday present,” his son posted on X. The decision marks a second setback for Lula this week after the Senate rejected his Supreme Court nominee, Jorge Messias.