Good morning! Today, government decides to extend coronavirus emergency salary even further. Sale of state-owned post office begins to take shape. Bolsonaro cements plans for Evangelical Supreme Court pick.
Under pressure, Bolsonaro extends emergency aid
The federal government has announced a three-month extension to its coronavirus emergency salary scheme, previously slated to expire at the end of this month. Benefits will remain unchanged, paying out between BRL 150 and 375 (USD 29 and 73) per month.
- “It will give us protection while we vaccinate the Brazilian population en masse,” said Economy Minister Paulo Guedes.
- According to government estimates, a big chunk of the economically active population will receive at least one vaccine dose by September, with the aid program now set to run through October 2021.
Why it matters. The decision comes as President Jair Bolsonaro faces corruption allegations and pressure from the Senate’s Covid hearings committee.
- The cash transfer program kept Mr. Bolsonaro’s approval ratings at high levels last year, pushing poverty rates down and keeping the Brazilian economy somewhat afloat.
Timing. The move came on the same day a new poll showed the president’s rejection rate at a staggering 63 percent. The same survey showed Mr. Bolsonaro trailing...