Brazilian Congress Overturns Lula's Veto, Slashes Bolsonaro's Prison Term
So, on Thursday, Brazil's Congress decided to overturn a veto from President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. This change affects a law that cuts former President Jair Bolsonaro's prison time significantly. Bolsonaro, who’s 71, was sentenced to 27 years last year for attempting a coup after losing to Lula in the 2022 election. With a conservative majority, Congress recalculated his sentence, shortening it to just over two years. The veto was overturned quite decisively, with 318 votes in favor and 144 against in the Chamber of Deputies, and 49 to 24 in the Senate. This is Lula's second big defeat in two days after his Supreme Court nominee was rejected the day before. He’s currently aiming for a fourth term.
Key facts
- Brazil's Congress overturned Lula's veto on Thursday.
- The law reduces Bolsonaro's prison sentence from 27 years to just over two years.
- Bolsonaro was sentenced for coup plotting after the 2022 election.
- The vote was 318-144 in the Chamber of Deputies and 49-24 in the Senate.
- This is Lula's second major defeat in two days.
- The Senate rejected Lula's Supreme Court pick Jorge Messias on Wednesday.
- Lula is campaigning for a fourth term.
- The law changes how prison sentences are calculated.
Entities
Institutions
- Brazil's Congress
- Chamber of Deputies
- Senate
- Supreme Court
Locations
- Brazil