Brazil's Congress has overturned President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's veto on a bill that significantly reduces former president Jair Bolsonaro's prison sentence from 27 years to just over two years. The decision, made during a tense session on Thursday, marks the second major legislative defeat for Lula this week.
Key Takeaways
Brazil's Congress overturned President Lula da Silva's veto on a bill reducing former president Jair Bolsonaro's prison sentence for coup plotting from 27 years to just over two years, marking another significant blow to Lula's administration. The move comes after the Senate rejected Lula's Supreme Court nominee, Jorge Messias, in an unprecedented defeat.
- Brazil Congress overturns veto on bill reducing Bolsonaro’s sentence
- Former president Bolsonaro sentenced for coup plotting now faces reduced term of just over two years
- Lawmakers override Lula's veto in a tense session, with some chanting 'freedom'
- Senate rejects Lula's Supreme Court nominee Jorge Messias in historic defeat
- Move seen as further evidence of challenges ahead for Lula in upcoming election
Bolsonaro was initially sentenced in September for his role in plotting a coup after losing the 2022 elections to Lula. The bill, which also reduces sentences for others convicted over their roles in the January 2023 riot where Bolsonaro supporters invaded government buildings, was approved by Congress last December but vetoed by Lula in January.
The move comes after the Senate rejected Lula's nomination of Solicitor General Jorge Messias for a Supreme Court seat on Wednesday. This rejection is historic, as it marks the first time in over 130 years that a president's nominee to the top court has been turned down by Congress. The decision is widely seen as an agreement between Senate President Davi Alcolumbre and the opposition led by Flavio Bolsonaro.
Despite being under house arrest due to health concerns, Bolsonaro's reduced sentence will not be automatic; his lawyers must file a request for a sentence review with the Supreme Court. The new law is expected to affect about 280 others convicted over the attempted coup. Lula has yet to comment on the decision but had previously argued that reducing sentences for an attempted coup would encourage similar crimes in the future.
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