Bolsonaro Criticizes Politicians and Then Lauds Congress

After saying that the political class is the greatest problem in the country, president changes his tone

São Paulo

As he faces enormous difficulties in getting his government’s projects approved, president Jair Bolsonaro (PSL) said that “the grand problem of Brazil is the political class.” On the same day, the president changed his tone and lauded Congress to show that he valued the group.

In a talk with the Rio de Janeiro Federation of Industries, the president repeated the opinions that he shared last Friday (17). On that day he said that Brazil is “ungovernable without back door deals” that he refused to do.

Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro attends a ceremony for the presentation of the 2nd phase of the advertising campaign of the pension reform bill at the Planalto Palace in Brasilia, Brazil May 20, 2019. REUTERS/Adriano Machado ORG XMIT: AHM05 - REUTERS

He also accused companies of boycotting his administration. On Monday afternoon (20), Bolsonaro received information from a moderate group in the Planalto Palace that his declarations were elevating tensions in the government and put his government measures at risk.

Then at a launch event for the social security campaign, the tone of his speech changed. “We value the Brazilian Parliament, which will give the final say on the Social Security issue,” he said.

The government needs votes in Congress to approve this week 11 provisional measures about to expire, which would have an economic impact and administrative structure.

Translated by Kiratiana Freelon

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