Brazil's Lula vetoes bill to reduce Bolsonaro's jail term

Bolsonaro was convicted of plotting a coup last year.

Lula, the country's left-wing leader, announced his decision three years to the day after Bolsonaro supporters rioted in the capital Brasilia after his 2022 election loss, in scenes similar to the riots by supporters of US President Donald Trump who tried to storm the US Capitol building.

Bolsonaro's supporters went through government buildings and rioted demanding that Brazil's army to overthrow Lula, who had just taken office

The plan included plan to assassinate Lula as well as his vice president and Supreme Court justice, Alexandre de Moraes.

Speaking about his decision to veto the bill, Lula said January 8 is a day marked by "our democracy's victory," adding it was also a "victory over those who tried to seize power by force, disregarding the will expressed at the ballot box."

While denying the charges, 70-year-old Jair Bolsonaro was convicted of attempting a coup, with the former president receiving a prison sentence.

US President Donald Trump, known to be close to Bolsonaro, called the trial a left-wing "witch hunt."

The country's Congress, dominated by conservatives, passed a bill which would have reduced Bolsonaro's time in jail from 27 years to two, with Lula expressing his will to veto the legislation from the beginning.

Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, the former president's son, labeled Lula's veto a "blatant, selective, and unjust political persecution."

Flavio Bolsonero was endorsed by his father to be the conservative candidate in Brazil's next presidential elections in October 2026.

Congress still has the last word on whether the bill becomes a law. It has the power to override Lula's veto, but analysts say this would be a risky move ahead of general elections in October.

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