Protests Erupt Over Bill to Reduce Jair Bolsonaro's Prison Sentence

On December 14, 2025, widespread protests erupted across Brazil in response to a bill passed by the lower house of Congress that seeks to reduce former President Jair Bolsonaro's prison sentence. Bolsonaro, who began serving a 27-year sentence for attempting to orchestrate a coup following his defeat in the 2022 presidential election, could see his sentence cut to just over two years if the Senate approves the legislation. The bill, which aims to shorten sentences for all individuals convicted in connection with the January 8, 2023, riots, has sparked significant public outcry, particularly among left-wing voters.

BBC NewsDW NewsBrazil Reports

Demonstrations occurred in major cities, including Brasília, São Paulo, and Rio de Janeiro, where protesters chanted slogans such as “No amnesty” and “Out with Hugo Motta,” the Speaker of the lower house who supported the bill. Antonio Edson Lima de Oliveira, a protester in Rio, expressed concerns about the implications of the bill, stating, “It’s an attempt to protect those who tried to attempt a coup.” Lavinia Scalia, a student organizer, emphasized the need for active resistance, saying, “We mustn’t come only to sing, we have to come to actually fight.”

The bill, which passed with a vote of 291 to 148, would allow sentences for two of Bolsonaro's convictions to run concurrently rather than consecutively, significantly reducing his time behind bars. It also proposes changes to parole conditions, allowing for earlier release. While Bolsonaro and his allies have pushed for an amnesty, the current legislation focuses solely on sentence reduction. Political analysts, such as Luciana Santana from the Federal University of Alagoas, suggest that the Senate may modify the bill in light of the protests, indicating a less favorable environment for its passage compared to the lower house.

Critics of the bill argue that it undermines the rule of law and the accountability of political leaders. The protests have been supported by various social groups, artists, and political parties, with prominent figures like singer Caetano Veloso participating. Leftist Congressman Glauber Braga, who was forcibly removed from Congress during the bill's discussion, stated, “I will not accept as a done deal an amnesty for a group of coup plotters,” highlighting the deep divisions within Brazilian politics regarding Bolsonaro's actions and the proposed legislation.

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has previously indicated he would veto the bill if it reaches his desk, although Congress could override such a veto. The political landscape remains tense, with Bolsonaro's legal team also seeking permission for him to undergo surgery and potentially serve his sentence under house arrest for health reasons.

Brazil Reports

While the protests have garnered significant attention, the exact number of participants has varied across reports, with estimates ranging from 15,000 in São Paulo to smaller crowds in other cities. The future of the bill remains uncertain as it heads to the Senate, where its fate could be influenced by ongoing public dissent and political maneuvering.

• “It’s an attempt to protect those who tried to attempt a coup,” — Antonio Edson Lima de Oliveira, Protester

• “It’s very important that they’re here, encouraging people to hit the streets. But I think we mustn’t come only to sing, we have to come to actually fight,” — Lavinia Scalia, Student Organizer

• “not to accept as a done deal an amnesty for a group of coup plotters.” — Glauber Braga, Congressman

DW News