The fallout from the January 8 attempt to challenge Brazil’s government continues to reverberate. Deputies aligned with the extreme right marched into Congress this week with signs reading “Out with Lula” and “Thief,” visible on their outfits as sessions began. The tension remains high less than a month after the assault on the three branches of government in Brasilia. Lawmakers close to former President Jair Bolsonaro used the moment to disparage the sitting administration. The rhetoric echoed Bolsonaro’s own assertive public style, underscoring a climate where speakers felt empowered to challenge the current leadership. Earlier, Bolsonaro himself appeared at a U.S. event hosted by the conservative group Yes Brazil USA, signaling that he was keeping a sharply critical posture toward the Lula government. He warned that the administration could falter if it continued down the same path observed in the opening weeks. Yet he also indicated he would not retreat from public life or cease political activity.
Analysts link the former president’s interventions to the tense mood inside Congress, where the right showed it could complicate Lula’s efforts to govern. A notable moment involved deputy Eduardo Bolsonaro, who attended on behalf of his father even though Bolsonaro did not attend the session in person. The political dynamic has been shaped by the Labor Party coalition with centrist factions since November, slowly eroding some of Bolsonarismo’s parliamentary base. Upcoming elections for the leadership of the House of Representatives and the Senate will be a barometer of how well this cross‑parliamentary approach holds up among Bolsonaro’s former supporters. Figures like Arthur Lira and Rodrigo Pacheco aim to maintain control of both chambers. They had previously enjoyed close ties with Bolsonaro, but those ties cooled after the 8‑E events. Lula has suggested that cooperation with some adversaries may be more practical for now, even as the far right expresses its hostility through hostile signs such as “Pacheco, no.”
Lula’s address and the judiciary’s stance
In this climate, Lula attended the inaugural ceremony for the Federal Supreme Court’s new session. In his remarks, the PT leader praised the prudent leadership shown by the judiciary and highlighted the role of the court in shaping accountability for political actions. Among the justices, Alexandre de Moraes has been central to clarifying Bolsonaro’s accountability in the January events. Lula stressed that the country must maintain faith in its political institutions and proceed with calm restraint, noting that the public mood on voting day reflected a call for change that must be respected through the proper electoral process. The path forward, he argued, lies in democratic renewal that endures beyond a single four‑year term and strengthens Brazil’s federative republic.
Rosa Weber, president of the STF, reinforced the judiciary’s resolve. She warned that those who seek to destabilize the republic would face legal consequences. The court’s leaders underscored the need to protect public assets and national heritage from acts of vandalism and reckless disregard, emphasizing that the rule of law must prevail even amid intense political polarization. The broader message was one of safeguarding constitutional norms while allowing robust political contestation to flourish within peaceful and lawful channels. This stance aims to studiously balance dissent with the responsibilities of governance, ensuring that Brazil’s democratic system remains resilient in the face of heated partisan rhetoric.