About 20 million Brazilian families are starting to receive a 15% rise in Bolsa Família welfare payments this week, the largest item in a run of spending pledges President Lula has made before Sunday's presidential run-off, MercoPress reports.
Citing calculations by Folha de S.Paulo, the outlet says measures announced over the past year add up to almost 300 billion reais, about US$57 billion, across 2026 and 2027. They include vehicle-renewal subsidies for drivers and truckers, payments to micro-entrepreneurs, fuel tax cuts and free weekend public transport.
His opponent, Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, promises deep spending cuts while keeping social programmes. Polls still show a statistical tie, with Bolsonaro slightly ahead. The pair meet for a final televised debate on Friday.
Source: MercoPress
