The president (PT) will hold a ceremony this Thursday morning (8) in memory of the attacks on the headquarters of Power in , in which he must veto the proposal approved by those involved in the acts.
Despite invitations made to the heads of the three Powers, the presidents of the Chamber, Hugo Motta (Republicanos-PB), Davi Alcolumbre (União Brasil-AP), and the (Supreme Federal Court), did not attend.
On January 8, 2023, groups protesting against Lula’s victory in the previous year’s elections invaded and vandalized the headquarters of Congress, the Supreme Court and the Presidency of the Republic.
The ceremony held at Palácio do Planalto, with a large presence of government figures and popular movements aligned to the left, began with shouts of “no amnesty”.
The event opened with a speech by the Minister of Justice, Ricardo Lewandowski.
“The crimes committed against the Democratic Rule of Law, like many of those committed in the recent period of January 8th, as stated in the Federal Constitution and the decision of the STF, are imprescriptible, not subject to pardon, grace or amnesty, especially when they involve armed civilian and military groups”, he said.
The benefit of reduced sentences approved by Congress includes the former president (PL), convicted and imprisoned for involvement in the coup plot.
Lula had until January 12th to veto the proposal, but a wing of the government defended that this Thursday’s act be used for the announcement.
Once the veto is confirmed, the last word will be with Congress, which can overturn it. If this happens, one of Planalto’s alternatives is to bet on judicialization of the issue in the Supreme Court.
Unlike in previous years, popular participation takes place on the street, and not in Praça dos Três Poderes, which is undergoing renovation. To hold the event, the Planalto, which gives access to the government headquarters — a protocol adopted on special occasions such as the reception of heads of state from other nations, in addition to the September 7th parades.
Two large screens and speakers were installed at the government headquarters to broadcast the official ceremony, held in the main hall of the Palácio do Planalto, to those watching from the street.
Among the movements participating in the event are the Brasil Popular and Povo Sem Medo fronts, traditionally linked to left-wing movements. In addition to them, the main trade unions and the groups MST (Landless Workers Movement) and MPA (Small Farmers Movement) must also participate.
The intention to veto the reduction of sentences had already been publicly declared by Lula on more than one occasion. In a coffee with journalists on December 18, he stated that this is the right of the President of the Republic, in the same way that Congress has the prerogative to overturn his decision.
The absence of Motta and Alcolumbre occurs at a time of . The PT member and the president of the Senate are rebuilding their relationship after the parliamentarian was upset with Jorge Messias for a vacancy on the STF. Alcolumbre and other senators would like the nominee to be (-MG), former president of the House.
The president of the Senate is in his state, Amapá.
Allies of the President of the Chamber, in turn, claim that Motta’s decision to attend the ceremony is justified because the act tends to intensify the dispute between PT and Bolsonaro supporters. The current president came to command the House with the support of these two forces and prefers not to take part in the main clashes between them.
