Bolsonaro uses opening of congressional term to bash Lula

Speaking before Congress during the inaugural sitting of the 2022 legislative term, President Jair Bolsonaro went after his main competitor in the October elections — former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who leads all polls.

Without mentioning Lula by name, Mr. Bolsonaro hammered some of the center-left politician’s policy points that are controversial for business sectors — such as repealing the 2017 labor reform or imposing regulations on media outlets. But while Mr. Bolsonaro called himself a staunch defender of press freedoms, attacks on journalists have gone up since he became president … and no individual has personally perpetrated more attacks than Mr. Bolsonaro himself.

The president also listed the government’s priorities for the Legislative branch in 2022, which include a tax reform that his administration never truly backed, and measures to lower utility bills.

Party leaders who spoke with The Brazilian Report say there is “no chance” Congress will dive into controversial terms so close to an election. Instead, they will push for stimulus bills such as a proposal to renegotiate tax debts of small businesses.

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