The Brazilian Senate approved a bill that reduces penalties for certain crimes, including attempted coup and abolishing the rule of law. The legislation could significantly shorten former president Jair Bolsonaro's 27-year prison sentence. The bill now proceeds to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva for final approval. Lula has announced his intention to veto the bill, citing concerns over its implications for justice and accountability.
The proposed law would accelerate the transition from harsher to more lenient prison regimes for convicted individuals. Under current rules, Bolsonaro could qualify for a less restrictive prison system after serving seven years, provided he meets legal requirements. The bill’s author, Paulinho da Força, estimates that this period could be reduced to just over two years if the law is enacted.
The bill also permits sentence reductions of up to two-thirds for crimes committed in a crowd, such as storming public buildings. Those who did not finance or lead such actions may receive reductions ranging from one-third to two-thirds. The measure has drawn opposition, with tens of thousands of Brazilians protesting in Brasilia, São Paulo, Florianópolis, Salvador, and Recife. Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro, the former president’s eldest son, praised the bill as a necessary correction to what he described as a flawed legal process. He is expected to run against Lula in the 2026 presidential election as a candidate of the Liberal Party.