Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva confirmed this Thursday his intention to veto the Sentencing Law, known as the Dosimetry Law, approved by the National Congress, which provides for a reduction in sentences for those convicted for the attempted coup of January 8, 2023, when the three branches of the Brazilian government were attacked.
The law could directly benefit former president Jair Bolsonaro, sentenced to 27 years and three months in prison for his alleged participation in anti-democratic acts.
“If there was an agreement, they didn’t inform me. And if they didn’t inform me, there was no agreement with the government,” Lula declared at a press conference, reinforcing his institutional stance against the parliamentary initiative. “I’ve been saying this for some time, not just now. I’ve said that those who committed a crime against Brazilian democracy will have to pay for the acts committed against this country,” he stated.
The president emphasized that, despite his respect for the legislature, “when it reaches my desk, I will veto it. This is no secret to anyone.”
The bill, denounced by organizations and analysts as a virtual amnesty for the coup plotters, was approved Wednesday in the Senate with 48 votes in favor and 25 against, after having received the green light in the Chamber of Deputies the previous week.
President Lula stated that he will veto the bill that reduces the sentences of former president Jair Bolsonaro and others convicted for coup-related acts, known as the Dosimetry Bill, and denied that the government had reached any agreement on the initiative.
The Sentencing Bill proposes modifying the system for serving sentences in crimes against the democratic rule of law and for coups d’état. Instead of adding all imposed sentences together, only the most severe would be applied. Furthermore, it stipulates that those convicted could serve only 16% of their sentence in a closed regime, even in cases involving violence, and repeat offenders, 20%, compared to the previous 30%.
According to the current sentence, Bolsonaro should remain in a closed prison for at least six years, with possible parole starting in 2033. However, with the new law, he could be eligible for sentence progression after serving only two years and four months.
The reduction of sentences for Jair Bolsonaro and other coup plotters, approved last night in the Senate, This is a disrespect to the Supreme Federal Court’s decision and a serious setback for legislation that protects democracy. The handling of this issue by the government’s leadership in the Senate and the Constitutional Court was a regrettable error…
The government tried to postpone the vote until 2026, but pressure from the centrist bloc prevented it. Meanwhile, four parties—PT, PSB, PCdoB, and PSOL—filed an injunction with the Supreme Federal Court (STF) to suspend the bill’s progress, opening the possibility of a direct challenge if it becomes law.
Even if Lula exercises his veto power, Congress could override it with a simple majority, which would mean the law would take effect in early 2026. This scenario has generated a tense confrontation between the Executive and Legislative branch, amid debate on the defense of the democratic state in Brazil.
IMAGE CREDIT: “Those who committed a crime against Brazilian democracy will have to pay for the acts committed against this country” President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva announced that he will veto the bill that reduces sentences for the attempted coup of January 8, 2023. Photo: EFE.
[ SOURCE: teleSUR ]
