Bolsonaro extends pandemic benefit payments amid falling support

The Brazilian government decided to extend a temporary benefits program for informal and low-income workers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The move comes at a time when approval ratings show falling support for far-right President Jair Bolsonaro. 

Expected to end this month, the program was extended for three months. The monthly benefit payment is in the range of 150-375 reais (US$29-74), depending on the family composition.

In place since April 2020, it started with a payment of 600 reais and the amount has been changed several times since then. 

The program was expected to be terminated at the end of last year. But the government continued to extend it in a bid to shore up Bolsonaro’s popularity, according to political observers. 

In the most recent survey from the MDA polling institute, published by Brazil’s transport confederation (CNT), 48% of respondents said the current administration is "bad or terrible," up from 36% in February.

The administration’s reputation recently suffered a blow due to a scandal involving alleged overpricing for vaccines against COVID-19. Bolsonaro has denied any wrongdoing.

Perhaps more worrisome for the controversial leader is the fact that his main rival, former president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, is gaining ground. All recent polls show the leftist Lula defeating Bolsonaro in 2022. 

Brazilians go to the polls in October next year to vote for president and state governors. Bolsonaro and Lula have both said they plan to run.