Demétrio Magnoli, a sociologist and columnist, publicly reflected on his past support for the impeachment of Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff, stating that he now considers this position to be a mistake. In an article published in Folha, he acknowledged that his shift in stance in March 2016 was driven by concerns regarding Rousseff's response to judicial proceedings against former President Lula. Magnoli recalled that he believed impeaching Rousseff was urgent due to a looming threat of 'Venezuelanization' in Brazil and the political maneuvers that involved Lula's potential ministry role to secure legal immunity.

Magnoli's retrospective analysis reveals a more nuanced understanding of the political landscape during that tumultuous period in Brazilian politics. He suggests that, with the benefit of time, it is clear that the Brazilian Supreme Court had the authority to revoke the privileged legal immunity that Lula might have enjoyed as a minister and would likely have exercised that authority. He posits that Brazil could have endured another two years of governance under Rousseff's administration and awaited the electoral decision instead of pursuing impeachment.

This admission not only reflects a personal reconsideration of political positions but also highlights the broader implications of the impeachment process in Brazil, which has led to significant political polarization and consequences for democratic governance. Magnoli's change of heart underscores the complexities of political decision-making and the potential for mistakes in rapidly evolving political scenarios.