Protests Against Spending Limit Bill Erupt Across Brazil

By Lise Alves, Senior Contributing Reporter

SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL – A wave of protests erupted on Friday (November 11th) morning in several states in Brazil against the proposed bill by the federal government which limits public spending for the next twenty years. At least six states registered demonstrations that have blocked roads and major highways. This is the second large protest against the bill in less than a month.

In São Paulo state, drivers had a difficult time reaching São Paulo city with demonstrators blocking Via Anchieta, one of the main highways which connects the capital to the coastal cities. Dutra Highway, which connects São Paulo city to Rio de Janeiro, was blocked in both directions in the metropolitan area of Guarulhos.

Members of Homeless Workers Movement (MTST) are also demonstrating throughout the city against the project which calls for federal spending to be limited to a ceiling of the previous year’s budget, adjusted by the inflation measured by the Consumer Price Index (IPCA).

In Bahia state, banking employees and public school teachers have also joined the demonstrations. In Brazil’s capital, Brasilia, more than 1.2 million people were affected as bus drivers crossed their arms during the morning rush hour to protest the bill being discussed in Congress.

Pernambuco’s capital, Recife, also had no bus service during Friday’s morning hours as hundreds took to the streets in the center of town. In the city of Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul state, public and private schools adhered to the protest movement.

The government has said that the bill is the only way that the country will be able to pave its way to a sustainable economy, overcoming one of the worst economic crises of its history.