BRAZIL: Health minister controversy subsides as new challenges surface
● The new health minister seems capable of handling Covid-19 well, while remaining outside the political danger zone within the government. ● The Chief-of-Staff at the Presidency is the new strong man and has ventured into economic territory, spearheading a new post-pandemic r… Become a member to read the rest of this article Username […]
BRAZIL: Unnecessary health minister change aggravates presidential blame
● President Jair Bolsonaro finally dismissed his popular health minister, claiming he failed to see the economic side of the Covid-19 tragedy. ● The new minister is a renowned physician and medical entrepreneur who has publicly agreed with the health ministry’s handling of the… Become a member to read the rest of this article
BRAZIL: Bolsonaro isolated, not ousted
● President Jair Bolsonaro has reached the highest level of isolation since his inauguration. ● His posture against popular Health Minister Luiz Henrique Mandetta is a high-risk strategy. ● Four-star generals in the government have been a moderate force, ensuring the government… Become a member to read the rest of this article
BRAZIL: Significant delays but on the right track despite Bolsonaro
● Brazil has been doing the right thing to stem the spread of the coronavirus but resistance from President Jair Bolsonaro remains. ● A mega-package of stimulus and support measures has been announced but implementation is delayed due to lack of coordination. ● Other admini… Become a member to read the rest of this […]
BRAZIL: Risky play by Bolsonaro may cost him dearly
President Jair Bolsonaro’s speech to the nation on the evening of 24 March left friends and foes perplexed for its extreme denial of COVID-19’s gravity. The president called for a “return to normality” and the end of the mass confinement and blamed the media for spreading fear. W… Become a member to read the […]
BRAZIL/MEXICO: Political weak links in the struggle to contain COVID-19
● The region’s big two economies – Brazil and Mexico – have presidents who have been conspicuously slow to recognize COVID-19’s gravity. ● Whether this proves counter-productive to virus containment remains to be seen, but in a context in which government failure can be deadly… Become a member to read the rest of this […]
BRAZIL: Late pro-growth strategy welcome but pandemic is the new driver
● President Jair Bolsonaro now recognizes the gravity of the COVID-19 pandemic. ● The government’s renewed push to collaborate with Congress has met with resistance. ● To spend or not to spend can no longer dictate priorities in the presence of a pandemic. … Become a member to read the rest of this […]
BRAZIL: Presidential dual rhetoric to continue to delay reform effort
President Jair Bolsonaro’s capacity to operate in two ostensibly conflicting worlds – that of social media and his own government – reached a high point this week. Bolsonaro has been as erratic as ever, resorting to confusing doublespeak. The net result is further delays in the r… Become a member to read the rest […]
BRAZIL: Renewed bickering still points to tax reform as last resort
Tensions between Congress and the Jair Bolsonaro government have increased significantly this week as both sides jostle for command on a number of policy fronts. Priorities across the two branches of government remain unclear and unaligned but more and more the tax reform seems t… Become a member to read the rest of this […]
BRAZIL: Blunders and irritants reinforce focus on tax reform
President Jair Bolsonaro’s recent provocation against state governors saying he would bring down federal taxes on fuel if they did the same for their VAT tax (ICMS) generated much noise but not a real change in the reform agenda. Economy Minister Guedes was assigned to make peace… Become a member to read the rest […]