In a Speech about His Year on the Job, Temer Will Say that he Will Go 'Beyond Social Security'

05/09/2017 - 12h37

To mark the completion of his first year in the job of President of the Republic, Michel Temer will give a speech on Friday (the 12th) in which he will say that his government will go beyond reforming Social Security, which has been hailed as the primary mission of his tenure.

During the speech, which will be given in a ministerial meeting at the Presidential Planalto Palace, Temer will enumerate what, according to him, have been the achievements of his government, like an increase of 6,5% in the Blosa Família (Family Stipend) program, the increase in market capitalization of the Banco do Brazil and Petrobras, the decrease in inflation - today at 4,5% per year -, and the announcement, this quarter, of positive growth in GDP.

Brazilian President wants to deliver, according to Presidential aides, is that his government "has already done a lot and can do even more" once Social Security reform is approved.

Temer's concern is that he doesn't want changes in the retirement system to become the "mono-theme" of his tenure, since this has indices of rejection of 71% of the population, according to Datafolha public opinion research. It is also rejected by many in congress and the senate, including some members in the governing base, who are still reluctant to support it out of fear of the negative impact it could have in the next elections.

Social Security reform is currently proceeding before a special commission of the Lower House of Congress, which still needs to vote on amendments to the project, whose basic legislation was approved last week. It still has to pass two votes in a plenary session of Congress and afterwards in the Senate.

Translated by LLOYD HARDER

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