Happy New Year! After a much-needed two-week rest, The Brazilian Report returns for what is set to be another hectic year. In today’s newsletter, we look back at what you might have missed over the end-of-year period and look forward to January’s major issues, such as the questions around a vaccine in Brazil and the looming economic crisis.
Your ultimate guide to 2021 in Brazil
In 2021, President Jair Bolsonaro will have to walk a dangerous tightrope. He must lead the country into economic recovery — which requires the approval of structural reforms — while preserving his political capital among the electorate. Coronavirus welfare programs expired completely at the end of the year due to budgetary constraints. Without a safety net, Brazil’s record unemployment rate could explode, fueling social dissatisfaction.
History tells us that the combination of poor economic performance and low popularity is a dangerous cocktail for Brazilian presidents. For Mr. Bolsonaro, 2021 will determine whether he will go down as the man who steered Brazil out of the coronavirus crisis, or if his administration will implode along the way.
To learn about the challenges Brazil will face in 2021, we have prepared an exclusive special report. Take a...