The president (PT) vetoed in full this Thursday (8) the reduction of sentences for those involved in the attacks on January 8, 2023. The proposal, approved by Congress, would also benefit the former president (PL), who is serving a sentence for participating in the coup plot.
“We do not have the right to forget the past. That is why we accept neither civil dictatorship nor military dictatorship. Long live Brazilian democracy”, declared Lula in a speech. “January 8th is marked by history as the day of victory for our democracy. Victory over those who tried to take power by force, disregarding the popular will expressed at the polls.”
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”.
“Today, in addition to being the three-year anniversary of our third term, is a day that many people in this country can celebrate. Firstly, for the maintenance of the Democratic Rule of Law in this country”, he also said.
The subject of dispute between government supporters and the opposition, the reduction in sentences ended up being approved in the Chamber and in the .
The veto on the easing of sentences was already a declared intention of the president, who even stated, during coffee with journalists on December 18, that he would veto the proposal as soon as it reached his desk.
Lula had until January 12th to veto the proposal, but a wing of the government defended that this Thursday’s January 8th memorial event be used as a stage for the announcement.
The presidents of the Chamber, , and the Senate, , missed the ceremony so as not to upset the Bolsonaro parliamentarians. With the absence of the heads of the Legislature, Lula chose to read the complete list of authorities present at the event, a protocol step that he does not usually take.
During the ceremony, the Minister of Justice, Ricardo Lewandowski, said that the crimes of January 8th are not subject to pardon or amnesty.
“The crimes committed against the Democratic Rule of Law, like many of those committed in the recent period of the 8th of January, as stated in the Federal Constitution and the decision of the , are imprescriptible, not subject to pardon, grace or amnesty, especially when they involve armed civilian and military groups”, declared Lewandowski.
On January 8, 2023, groups dissatisfied with Lula’s victory in the previous year’s elections invaded and destroyed the headquarters of the three Powers in .
During the investigation into the coup plot, Lula reinforced his speech in defense of the participants being penalized by the courts. The coup attempt also aimed to assassinate Lula, vice-president Geraldo Alckmin and minister Alexandre de Moraes, of the STF (Supreme Federal Court).
Once the veto is confirmed, the last word will be up to Congress, which can still overturn the decision. If this happens, one of Planalto’s alternatives is to bet on judicialization of the issue in the Supreme Court.
