Happy Monday! Today, Bolsonaro hoping aid program will help him stay in the re-election running. And, if that’s not enough, the president plans to increase income tax exemption brackets. Plus, latest polls suggest Brazil’s Covid figures are dramatically underreported.
Can Bolsonaro’s new aid policy buy him re-election?
A new presidential poll brings many reasons for concern for President Jair Bolsonaro — but also a few silver linings. While his approval ratings remain at the lowest level for any incumbent seeking re-election, the president has stopped bleeding support, and more people are beginning to feel that the economy is now heading in the right direction: up from 22 to 26 percent since November.
Why it matters. While the president still has a mountain to climb and is the dark horse in the head-to-head race against former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the race should become much tighter than current polls indicate.
In Bolsonaro’s favor. Late last year, the government launched a new aid program to replace the world-renowned Bolsa Família scheme, heavily associated with Lula and his Workers’ Party. The new program was criticized by experts for creating long-term uncertainty about wealth distribution and weakening the social conditions which were key...