Public statement: Brazilian democracy resists
Pacto pela Democracia has issued a statement regarding the conclusion of the trial of the central group behind the coup plot
Photo by Sergio LIMA / AFP)
The conclusion today (25 November 2025) of the trial of the central group involved in the coup plot reaffirms the strength of Brazilian institutions and society, which faced and overcame a serious threat to democracy, and continue to move toward a strong democracy.
The importance of this moment does not lie in the individual punishments: we are witnessing a historic milestone. For the first time, senior figures of authority—among them high-ranking members of the military and a former President of the Republic—have been tried for crimes against democracy. This is an unprecedented landmark in a country whose history is marked by coups, restrictions on freedom, and periods of dictatorship. Holding the central group involved in the coup attempt accountable, in full compliance with the rules of due legal process, demonstrates the vitality of a democracy that, although young, is steadfast and underpinned by the commitment not only of institutions but also of society as a whole to the Federal Constitution and the active defense of the rule of law.
With this historic decision, Brazil is positioning itself as an outlier on the international stage and an example of how democracies can resist. In practice, it shows that institutions and civil society must act assertively against processes of autocratization. From the outset, civil society organizations monitored and participated in the investigative initiatives, including within the Joint Parliamentary Committee of Inquiry (CPMI) in Congress. They have shaped the public debate by keeping the memory of the events alive, defending the strengthening of the democratic system, and standing firmly against attempts to annul the crimes committed. The result of this process is a solid and legitimate democratic response. Against the backdrop of a violent rise in authoritarianism, we celebrate the vitality of Brazilian democracy with conviction.
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However, there are still some essential steps to be taken. The plot to carry out a coup, which led to the insurrection on 8 January 2023, exposed deep wounds in the fabric of society and institutions that need to be addressed by the Brazilian State. Some decisive actions remain pending to depoliticize and democratize the security forces, restructure the balance of the different branches of government, rebuild trust in the electoral system, ensure full accountability of financiers and others involved, and no less importantly preserve the memory of the crimes against democracy so that, from now on, these sad incidents are confined to the history books.
For these measures to advance, there needs to be a renewal of a democratic pact in which institutions and society fully, effectively, and permanently commit to strengthening the democratic rule of law, drawing on knowledge and experience garnered throughout our history. May today herald a new start. We will continue, alert and engaged, as we build a truly democratic future.
