Clashes in Brazil as Senate approves 20-year austerity plan [View all]

[Judi Lynn]

Clashes in Brazil as Senate approves 20-year austerity plan

Brazil’s senate has passed a controversial spending cap that will limit public spending to inflation for the next 20 years

14 December 2016, 8:22am



Protesters hold placards reading ‘Temer Out’ during a demonstration against austerity measures in Rio
de Janeiro, Brazil (Photo: Getty Images)



The Brazilian Senate has approved a controversial amendment to the constitution capping public spending for the next 20 years, despite protests across the country against the measure.

The spending cap, known as PEC 55, will now be signed off on 15 December and freezes expenditure in the executive, judiciary and legislative branches of power, allowing them to grow only by the rate of inflation in the previous year.

. . .

Temer has staked his government’s credibility on measures to reduce public spending – which soared out of control under impeached President Dilma Rousseff as Brazil sunk into a debilitating recession – and his ability to control the bickering parties in an unruly congress.

However, the spending cap has been described by a senior UN official as the most socially regressive austerity package in the world, while Brazilian leftists argued that it will damage the country’s already fragile health and education systems.

More:
http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/world/72585/clashes_in_brazil_as_senate_approves_20year_austerity_plan#.WFEFdEkzVOk

LBN:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10141639712