The text, known as the Dosimetria bill, was approved by 291 to 148 votes during the early hours of Wednesday. It must now proceed to the Senate. The bill "grants amnesty to participants in politically motivated protest demonstrations," and covers all protests that arose after the narrow electoral defeat in 2022.
At that time, thousands of Brazilians mobilized in support of Bolsonaro to demand an audit and transparency in the electoral process. That period includes everything from peaceful camps in front of Army barracks to the January 8 episodes, which the STF described as "coup attempts."
A bill that corrects excesses and limits STF abuses
The proposal's drafter, Paulinho da Força (Solidariedade-SP), stated during the debate that the text was prepared by "a group of jurists, among the most important in Brazil." He also emphasized that the reduction "deals only with January 8" and doesn't cover common crimes.
According to his calculations, the reform could reduce the total sentence attributed to Bolsonaro from 27 years and three months to about 20 years. This would decrease the time of imprisonment in a closed regime from six years and ten months to two years and four months before being able to request a more flexible regime.
Although the former president was convicted by the STF in a widely questioned process, the bill's approval represents the first concrete legislative step to curb what the opposition denounces as political persecution.
The left's reaction: protests and accusations within Congress
PT, PSOL, and other left-wing parties reacted with fury. Congresswoman Talíria Petrone (PSOL-RJ) stated that discussing an amnesty "is an attack on our fragile democracy," while Lindbergh Farias (PT-RJ) described the nighttime vote as "absurd."
