Temer Considers New Compromises to Approve Pension Reform

12/15/2017 - 10h58

Brazilian government has decided to make its pension reform bill even more flexible. On Thursday (14), the president of the lower house of congress, Rodrigo Maia, announced voting would be postponed to February 19, less than eight months before elections.

"It would be ideal for us to vote on it now, but time will help us clarify [the reform]. It would be frustrating to lose", stated Maia. The administration has failed to obtain support in exchange for positions and funds - it needs 308 votes.

The congressman is conducting an agreement with public servants, who are pressing the government to change the bill's current text. He is putting together a more beneficial transition rule for those who became public servants before 2003.

The reduction of women's minimum retirement age from 62 to 60 has also been under discussion again.

Finance Minister, Henrique Meirelles, rejected the idea of reopening negotiations, but president Michel Temer's political team already considers making concessions.

Translated by ANA BEATRIZ DEMARIA

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	Ueslei Marcelino/Reuters
	President of the lower house of congress Rodrigo Maia gestures during a meeting of the Pension Reform Commission with Brazil's president Michel Temer