This paper analyzes the institutional legacy of the Bolsonaro government on Brazilian democracy, with effects on 2023 and beyond. Focusing on the rebalance of the power of the executive branch vis-a-vis other powers, we argue that Bolsonaro’s botched coup attempt exposed the limitations of existing regime safeguards. First, the activation of the military brought the shadow of raw power to the political table. Second, the increased leverage Congress now exercises over the executive has ambiguous effects on its willingness to check authoritarian overreaches from the President. Finally, we consider how the conflict between the past President and the Supreme Court has made the court more politicized, potentially affecting its public standing and making it a more likely target for future attacks within the political system. We suggest that, while democracy has resisted, it is not immune to backsliding. We briefly discuss how this reshuffling will shape the scenario for Lula’s presidency and the Worker's Party in the coming years.