The Chamber of Deputies approves urgent amnesty bill that benefits Bolsonaro and those convicted by the Supreme Court.

The Chamber of Deputies approved this Wednesday, the 17th, an urgent amnesty (accelerated processing) for those involved in the January 8th attacks. This is a gesture from the Speaker of the House, Hugo Motta (Republicans-PB), to supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro (PL). The urgent bill, approved with 311 votes to 163, is from Representative Marcelo Crivella. The proposed version benefits Bolsonaro, the others convicted by the Supreme Federal Court, and also those involved in the January 8th attacks.

However, there is still no consensus on which text will be analyzed and the estimated date for a new vote on the proposal's merits. "If the urgency is approved, a rapporteur will be appointed so that we can arrive, as quickly as possible, at a substitute text that meets the support of a broad majority of the House. As Speaker of the House, my mission is to conduct this debate with balance, respecting the Internal Rules and the College of Leaders," said Motta.

The Speaker of the House maintains that the country needs peace, and the plenary session must deliberate on the matter. "Brazil needs peace and a future built on dialogue and respect. The country needs to move forward. We have different views and divergent interests in the House regarding the events of January 8, 2023. It is up to the plenary, the sovereign body, to decide," Motta wrote.

The session, which began Wednesday night, was tumultuous, with chants from both government and opposition supporters about the amnesty. On one side, supporters of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva chanted "no amnesty," while Bolsonaro supporters chanted "amnesty now." "What's being done here today is absurd, a mockery, a sarcasm," said Pastor Henrique Vieira (PSOL-RJ).

"Today truly marks a historic day for this House. What we are voting on here today is urgent. At no point will we put a knife to the president's throat or any of the leaders to discuss the merits of this day. The PL, despite what the left says, is the party of peace and understanding. We are here seeking understanding for the country. The left's rhetoric is nothing more than this: insulting fascists," said PL leader Sóstenes Cavalcante (RJ).

Before him, Workers' Party leader Lindbergh Farias (RJ) criticized the vote on the proposal. "What's happening today is regrettable. Institutions, on a day like this, cannot be cowardly. By urging Congressman Marcelo Crivella's amnesty bill to be urgent, it's a broad, general, and unrestricted amnesty," Lindbergh stated. "The Centrão representatives are opening the floodgates so that they can approve the bill with a simple majority. Does anyone here believe they're trying to settle anything?" he added.

Speaking on behalf of the MDB, Representative Isnaldo Bulhões Junior (AL) argued that it would be better to adjust the text to a proposal that merely reduced the length of penalties imposed by the Supreme Federal Court (STF), but without amnesty. "It's regrettable that the agenda we are currently considering—the urgency of a bill that specifically addresses amnesty for an attempted coup—has become an electoral political debate," said the Alagoas representative.

When announcing that he would put the urgency request to a vote, Motta explained that after the urgency is approved, he will choose a rapporteur to adjust the text. There is still no date for when this new vote will take place. "If the urgency is approved, a rapporteur will be appointed so that we can arrive, as quickly as possible, at a substitute text that finds the support of a broad majority of the House. As Speaker of the House, my mission is to conduct this debate with balance, respecting the Internal Rules and the College of Leaders," Motta said.

Bolsonaro supporters stated that they agreed with Motta to approve the proposed constitutional amendment (PEC) on the Shielding of Laws, which would make it more difficult to initiate legal proceedings and authorize the arrest of members of parliament in exchange for the approval of the urgent amnesty. There is still no estimate for when the final text would be voted on in the plenary.

As reported by Coluna do Estadão, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has told allies that he supports an agreement with the Centrão (Centrão) for a "light amnesty," which would reduce the sentences of those convicted of the January 8th coup attacks, but without the benefit affecting Bolsonaro. "The text will be worked on by a rapporteur to be chosen. We will have time to work effectively and we believe we will have a satisfactory text," said Congressman Zucco (PL-RS), leader of the opposition.

What does Crivella's project say about amnesty?

The bill chosen for urgent voting this Wednesday provides for a broad amnesty for all crimes linked to demonstrations that took place from October 2022 onwards. Crivella's text also waives fines imposed by the Electoral Court.

“All those who participated in demonstrations with political and/or electoral motivations, or supported them, by any means, including contributions, donations, logistical support or provision of services and publications on social media and platforms, between October 30, 2022 and the date of entry into force of this Law, are hereby granted amnesty,” the text states.

Crivella justified the proposal, presented in April 2023, by saying it was a "pacifying response, one that cools spirits and brings together those opposed through sovereign forgiveness." Bolsonaro supporters have been lobbying for an amnesty for two years. During that period, they even staged a riot that prevented the Chamber of Deputies from operating for two days.