The CCJ (Constitution and Justice Commission) approved this Wednesday (17) the project that reduces sentences for those convicted of the attacks on January 8, 2023 and benefits the former president ().
The proposal went forward against the will of the government, which did not want a change in these rules. Even so, there was little resistance from the President of the Republic’s allies at the collegiate meeting. All of him.
The score at the CCJ was 17 votes in favor of the proposal and 7 votes against.
The reduction of sentences had been discussed for months in Congress, but was not voted on because Bolsonarist sectors insisted on a total amnesty for those convicted. The proposal only came forward after these groups relaxed their demand and agreed to support a reduction in sentences.
“It’s not what we wanted, but, in the balance of forces, it was possible”, said the leader of the opposition in the Senate, (PL-RN).
The project still needs to be deliberated by the Senate plenary before being sanctioned or returned to the Chamber, depending on how it is eventually approved. .
The Senate plenary could vote on the proposal this Wednesday.
The CCJ’s deliberation included a movement that reduces the chances of the proposal being sent back to the Chamber.
If it comes into force in the way the commission approved it, the project could, in theory, reduce the time that Bolsonaro will spend in the closed regime of serving his sentence from the current 6 to 8 years to something between and , depending on the interpretation. of confinement.
Senators found, throughout the process, that the project approved by the Chamber created room for those convicted of crimes other than those related to January 8th to also benefit.
The rapporteur of the proposal at the CCJ, Esperidião Amin (PP-SC), based on an amendment proposed by the senator (-PR).
Amin argued that this was a wording adjustment. This technicality is important because drafting adjustments do not force projects to return to the Chamber.
Government senators claim that the change constitutes a change of merit, which would cause the text to be sent back to the deputies.
If the government’s vision prevailed, the project would probably not finish being processed in Congress this year – but that was not what happened.
Absence of Lula’s allies
The CCJ held a separate vote in which it decided to classify the change in the text as one of wording and not of merit. There were few Lula allies in the room at the time of this vote, which facilitated the opposition’s victory.
The president of the commission, (-BA), is a government supporter and complained about the absence of Lula’s allies during the meeting. He was critical of the project, but did not oppose the majority of the members of the board, who were in favor.
“I see all the opposition leaders present. And I don’t see the government leader present to defend this cause with me,” he said.
Government leaders in the Senate, (-BA), and Congress, (PT-AP), were in a ministerial meeting promoted by Lula this Wednesday. The leader of the PT in the Senate, Rogério Carvalho (SE), participated remotely in the CCJ meeting, without attending in person.
The proposal but regained traction this morning. The former president of the House (PSD-MG) gave a speech in favor of the text at the CCJ, reducing the space for senators to oppose it.
Pacheco’s position on the issue has influence on the other senators because he commanded the House at the beginning of 2023. He participated in the Powers’ response to the attacks and, at the time, was politically exposed as a result.
The senator is also one of the closest allies of the current president of the House, (União Brasil-AP). The House’s general assessment is that the two act together most of the time, which increases the power of Pacheco’s speeches.
The other bet by government officials to postpone the vote on the project was a request for review (more time to analyze) that would prevent deliberation this week. As the Legislative recess begins next week, this postponement would mean the project would only be voted on in 2026.
Otto Alencar, however, decided that the deadline would only be four hours. Thus, the discussion in the collegiate began in the morning and ended in the middle of the afternoon.
