Good morning! The government v. Congress’ “Big Center.” Interest rates in Brazil could go close to zero in the near future. And the Supreme Court discusses the presumption of innocence. (This newsletter is for platinum subscribers only. Become one now!)
BREAKING
The Federal Police is carrying out search and seizure warrants at addresses linked to Luciano Bivar, chairman of Jair Bolsonaro’s Social Liberal Party (PSL). He is suspected of quarterbacking a scheme of dummy candidates to siphon money from campaigns. Pushed into the spotlight in 2018 thanks to Mr. Bolsonaro, PSL has a long history of irregularities in the use of public funds to finance party activities—having nine of its 16 accounts rejected since 1998, when the party was founded.
‘Big Center’ wants big losses for the government
At war against his own PSL party, President Jair Bolsonaro will face three important votes in Congress this week. And the group of parties known as the “Big Center” (centrão) is keen on imposing three tough defeats on the government.
Why it matters. True to his campaign promises, Mr. Bolsonaro has not built a proper legislative coalition—negotiating the approval of each bill in Congress individually. Now, parties have yet another opportunity to...