Brazil government leaders resume talks over pension reform

Carnival comes to an end in Brazil as government allies prepare to resume talks on reforming the country's pension system. A few days from the beginning of the discussion at a plenary session in the lower house, the government still works to reach the minimum number of lawmakers in attendance to pass the constitutional amendment on the matter.

The vote is expected to begin next Tuesday (Feb 20), as scheduled late last year by house speaker Rodrigo Maia. As it stands today, however, the bill has not succeeded in amassing the 308 required votes (of the total 513 deputies) to be approved in two rounds of vote in the lower house.

As the piece of legislation comes in the form of a constitutional amendment, the majority of lawmakers in two rounds of vote is also required in the Senate, where 49 of all 81 senators must cast a favorable vote in order for the bill to be approved.

The text to be brought to the full house for discussion was drafted by rapporteur Deputy Arthur Maia last week.

The legislation this time is more flexible than the one previously brought forward. The items slackened include the preservation of the full pension for widows of officers in the civil, federal, and highway police bodies who died in the exercise of their duties.

The government agreed to compromise in a bid to gain the votes of undecided lawmakers, who are reluctant about making such a controversial decision near the elections. In October, Brazilians will go to the ballot to elect the new president, as well as state governors, and the members of the lower house and the Senate.

Translated by Fabrício Ferreira