Congress leadership races heat up, pit Bolsonaro against the House Speaker

With the members of Brazil’s Congress packing their bags, ready to leave Brasília for their end-of-year holidays, there has been enough time for one last political uproar between lawmakers and the federal government. The subject up for debate is the extension of the coronavirus emergency aid program and the Christmas bonus payment of Brazil’s Bolsa Família cash transfer initiative.

The “13th payment” of the Bolsa Família program was among President Jair Bolsonaro’s leading campaign promises, intending to gain some ownership over the renowned welfare initiative customarily credited to the center-left Workers’ Party governments. The payment was made last year, but it seems unlikely that beneficiary families will receive anything in 2020, at least for the time being. Economy Minister Paulo Guedes claimed this morning that the government does not have the money to spare.

The issue had largely lain dormant due to a lack of interest from the government, but was reheated yesterday when Mr. Bolsonaro claimed House Speaker Rodrigo Maia was to blame for the lack of Christmas bonuses.

Taking the stand in the lower house this afternoon, Mr. Maia said that this was “yet another instance of the president telling lies about me.” The incumbent Speaker will leave...