On Tuesday, March 25, 2025, a pivotal moment in Brazilian politics begins as the First Panel of the Supreme Federal Tribunal (STF) is set to hear the first trial concerning the indictment of former President Jair Bolsonaro. The charges revolve around allegations of attempting a coup d'état, which have serious implications for the country as it navigates its political landscape.
The schedule for the Supreme Court includes an extraordinary session at 9:30 AM, followed by an ordinary session at 2:00 PM, and another extraordinary session at 9:30 AM on March 26, 2025. This series of sessions will determine whether the STF will accept the complaint filed by Attorney General of the Republic, Paulo Gonet. Should the court decide to move forward, a criminal action will commence, transforming Bolsonaro from a former president into a defendant in a high-stakes court battle.
Security measures will be heightened on March 25 and 26 to ensure a safe environment for all involved—employees, collaborators, lawyers, and the press—as the trial unfolds. This case marks the beginning of a series of proceedings related to the attempts to undermine Brazil's democratic framework, with Gonet revealing that 34 individuals are implicated in an alleged coup plot.
Among those indicted alongside Bolsonaro are several prominent figures, including General Walter Braga Netto, former Minister of Defense and Chief of Staff, Lieutenant Colonel Mauro Cid, and General Augusto Heleno, former Minister of Institutional Security. Also included in the indictment are Anderson Torres, former Minister of Justice, Almir Ganier Santos, former commander of the Navy, Alexandre Ramagem, former director of Brazil’s intelligence agency, and Paulo Sérgio Nogueira, another former Minister of Defense. These individuals face a range of serious charges, from organized armed crime to the violent attempt to abolish the democratic state.
According to the court documents, the defendants have also been charged with causing damage through violence and serious threats against the property of the Union, as well as deteriorating listed property. Their actions have been characterized as an assault on the very fabric of Brazil’s democracy.
The First Panel, which will oversee the proceedings, consists of Ministers Alexandre de Moraes, Flávio Dino, Cármen Lúcia, Luiz Fux, and Cristiano Zanin, who currently presides over the court. The defense team for Bolsonaro has sought the disqualification of both Zanin and Dino, arguing that their previous connections to the current administration might compromise their impartiality. Despite this, the court rejected the appeals to excise them from the trial, with only Minister André Mendonça expressing support for the disqualification.
In addition to the political turmoil surrounding the trial, the Brazilian Congress has a heavy agenda to contend with this week. With key congressional leaders, including the Presidents of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate, traveling abroad with President Lula to Japan and Vietnam, the likelihood of progress on significant legislative matters is diminished. Nevertheless, there are ongoing discussions in the Senate Education Commission regarding the new National Education Plan (PL 2614/2024), aimed at shaping the educational landscape for the next decade. Representatives from the Ministry of Education, alongside several educational organizations, will present their views during these discussions.
On the same day as the indictment trial, the Commission of Inquiry on Betting will convene to hear from André Holanda Rodrigues Rolim, a businessman and recovering gambling addict. His testimony is intended to shed light on the mental and financial risks posed by the proliferation of online betting, underscoring the need for effective consumer protections against the rising tide of gambling addiction.
As Brazil grapples with these pressing issues, a notable ceremony will occur on Thursday, March 27, 2025, when 19 women from various sectors will receive the Bertha Lutz Diploma, an award honoring those who have significantly advanced women's rights and gender equality. This event will recognize contributors from politics, culture, science, and social activism, highlighting the ongoing struggle for gender parity.
This week is consequential not only for Bolsonaro and the key players involved in the indictment but also for the nation as it scrutinizes its democratic values and prepares for the future. The STF's decision on March 25 may influence the trajectory of Brazil’s political landscape leading up to the elections in 2026, as the country continues to confront its recent history and articulate its vision moving forward.
