Lula Vetoes Bill to Soften Jan. 8 Sentences, Setting Up Clash in Congress

Overview

• Opposition and Centrão figures moved to overturn the decision, with Chamber rapporteur Paulinho da Força saying he is already working to reverse the veto in the first week of the legislative year.
• Senator Esperidião Amin, the bill’s Senate rapporteur, filed a new broad amnesty proposal covering participants and supporters of the Jan. 8 events, including the reversal of digital restrictions and blocked social media accounts.
• Bolsonarist deputy Caroline de Toni requested an extraordinary joint session to vote on the veto during the recess, a call that awaits a decision from congressional president Davi Alcolumbre.
• The government and PT plan street and online mobilization under the “sem anistia” banner to pressure lawmakers to maintain the veto.
• The veto message, guided by the AGU and relevant ministries, cites unconstitutionality and risks to the democratic order; overturning it requires 257 deputies and 41 senators in a joint vote, and any enacted change is expected to face Supreme Court review.