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Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro on Tuesday said a vote against expanded government spending next year was a vote against the country, adding pressure on lower house lawmakers ahead of a crucial second-round vote on new fiscal rules.
Bolsonaro is pushing for a change to the constitution that would let the government spend an additional 92 billion reais ($16.5 billion) next year, allowing him to ramp up welfare programs during his likely re-election campaign.
A second-round vote is expected in the lower house of Congress on Tuesday after an initial vote passed by just four votes last week. A constitutional amendment must pass twice with at least three fifths of the votes in each chamber. RTRS
Brazil’s lower house of Congress passed a constitutional amendment on Tuesday that will allow President Jair Bolsonaro to spend an additional 92 billion reais ($16.5 billion) next year, allowing him to double welfare spending ahead of elections.
The chamber voted 323-172 in a second vote required for changes to the constitution and the measure now advances to the Senate. The amendment, which staggers the government’s court-ordered payments temporarily, has rattled financial markets worried that increased spending will deepen the budget deficit. RTRS