The president of the Chamber of Deputies, Hugo Motta (Republicanos-PB), stated that he hopes to overturn President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s (PT) veto on the project that changes the dosimetry of penalties for crimes against the democratic rule of law. The statement was given in an interview with GloboNews this Friday (17).
The analysis of the veto is scheduled for the 30th, in a Congress session called by the president of the Senate, Davi Alcolumbre (União-AP).
The proposal, approved at the end of 2025 by the Chamber and Senate, changes the way penalties are applied for crimes such as coup d’état and violent abolition of the democratic order. The text determines that, when crimes occur in the same context, there is no automatic addition of punishments, and the most serious penalty must prevail, with an increase of one-sixth to one-half.
Furthermore, the project provides for a reduction in sentences for cases of attempted crimes, especially when committed in crowds, with a reduction that can vary from one to two thirds. It also establishes more flexible rules for regime progression, setting a minimum serving of one-sixth of the sentence, regardless of recidivism or the existence of violence.
In practice, the change could directly affect convictions related to the acts of January 8th. According to the calculations discussed in Congress, the eventual application of the new rules could reduce the prison time of convicts, including former president Jair Bolsonaro (PL), currently under house arrest, depending on judicial interpretation.
President Lula vetoed the project in its entirety at the beginning of this year, which transferred the final decision on whether to maintain or overturn the text to Congress.
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According to Motta, reviewing sentences would help end a cycle of institutional tension. “So that we can turn this page, this sad chapter in the history of our country”, he stated in an interview with GloboNews.
The parliamentarian argues that there is political space for change and that the issue has already generated prolonged wear and tear between the Powers. In his opinion, the measure would allow the Judiciary to reevaluate convictions and, eventually, reduce sentences for people involved in the acts.
