Brazil Senate Supports Bill That Reduces Bolsonaro's Prison Sentence

The Brazilian Senate approved on Wednesday a bill to reduce the prison sentence of far-right former president Jair Bolsonaro, who was convicted of conspiring to stage a coup after losing the re-election to leftist Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

Approved last week by the Chamber of Deputies, the bill now goes to Lula, whose expected veto could ultimately be overturned by Congress.

Also read: Brazil: Chamber of Deputies Approves Bill That Would Reduce Bolsonaro's Sentence

Bolsonaro, 70, began serving a 27-year prison sentence in November and, under current rules, was required to serve at least eight years before becoming eligible for a more lenient prison regime.

However, the new legislation—which changes how sentences are calculated for certain crimes—could allow Bolsonaro to serve just over two years in prison.

After months of political maneuvers by Bolsonaro's allies in Congress to secure some form of amnesty, the bill advanced surprisingly quickly both in the lower house, controlled by conservatives, and in the Senate, which has a more balanced composition.

Bolsonaro's eldest son, Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, whom the former president has pointed to as the right-wing candidate for the 2026 elections, urged the upper house to "resolve this matter once and for all."

The initiative sparked protests in several Brazilian cities on Sunday, where demonstrators chanted "no to amnesty" and displayed banners reading: "Congress, enemy of the people."

Although political forces are more balanced in the Senate, the bill was approved by 48 votes in favor and 25 against.

Centrist Senator Renan Calheiros called the vote a "farce" and left the session, accusing government allies in Parliament of allowing the vote in exchange for support on a budget initiative, as part of a behind-the-scenes political deal.

'He Must Pay' for His Crimes

The bill's author, Deputy Paulinho da Força, said it was a "gesture of reconciliation" in a polarized country.

Senators amended the text to limit its scope, amid fears it could soften sentences for a wide range of offenders.

The law is specifically aimed at benefiting those convicted for the coup plot, as well as more than 100 Bolsonaro supporters imprisoned for their participation in the January 2023 riots against government buildings in Brasília, shortly after Lula took office.

Senator Sergio Moro, Bolsonaro's former Justice Minister, welcomed that the law would "get those people out of prison, which is the most important thing right now."

Bolsonaro is serving his sentence in a special room at a police facility in Brasília, following a dramatic start to his imprisonment when he used a welder to damage his electronic ankle bracelet while under house arrest.

Lula has promised to veto the law, stating that Bolsonaro "must pay" for his crimes.

"This bill is destined to be vetoed" by Lula, said Senator Randolfe Rodrigues of the leftist Workers' Party (PT).

However, Congress has the final say and can override the presidential veto.

Bolsonaro was convicted for a plan to prevent Lula from taking office after his narrow defeat in the 2022 elections, which exposed deep political divisions in Brazil.

The plot allegedly included plans to assassinate Lula, his vice president Geraldo Alckmin, and Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes.

According to prosecutors, the plan failed due to lack of support from the military leadership.

This article is an adaptation of its original in English.