Bolsonaro’s sentence slashed as Brazilian Congress hands President Lula a major defeat

In a major blow to the administration of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, the Brazilian Congress voted Thursday to override a presidential veto on a law that significantly reduces prison sentences for sedition. The move marks the second parliamentary defeat for Lula in less than 24 hours and provides a massive legal victory to former President Jair Bolsonaro.

The congressional session was marked by high tension. The final tally reflected a deep legislative divide: in the Chamber of Deputies, 318 lawmakers were in favor of the override and 144 against. In the Senate, 49 were in favor and 24 against.

The newly approved law alters the methodology for calculating prison time, specifically preventing the accumulation of sentences for similar crimes. This change directly benefits Bolsonaro and hundreds of supporters convicted in relation to the Jan. 8, 2023 coup attempt in Brasilia.

Bolsonaro, 71, was sentenced in September 2025 to 27 years in prison for his role in the attempted coup following his 2022 election loss. While he began serving his sentence in November and is currently under house arrest, experts suggest this legislative change could be transformative because the law could cut up to 20 years off his original sentence. Under the new guidelines, Bolsonaro could potentially transition to semi-open status or be released from closed custody within two to four years.

The vote coincided with the 45th birthday of Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, the former president’s eldest son and a leading presidential candidate for the forthcoming October elections. Following the vote, opposition lawmakers celebrated by chanting "freedom" and "Flavio Bolsonaro."

On X, Flavio Bolsonaro described the legislation as a "special birthday gift" and a "first step toward ensuring full justice for those persecuted on January 8." Currently, Bolsonaro is tied in the polls with the 80-year-old Lula, who is seeking re-election in less than six months.

While the legislative victory is a milestone for the opposition, the battle is likely to shift to the judiciary. Legal experts expect the Lula administration to appeal the decision to the Supreme Federal Court, arguing that the law unconstitutionally undermines the sentences handed down for crimes against the democratic state.

The clash sets the stage for a volatile campaign season, as Brazil remains deeply polarized between the legacy of the Bolsonaro era and the current Lula administration.