Economics

Brazilian Markets Tumble as Bolsonaro Revives Social Program

  • Central bank steps in to prop up real after new plan unveiled
  • Investors and experts question financing sources for program
Jair Bolsonaro

Photographer: Andre Borges/Bloomberg

Lock
This article is for subscribers only.

Brazilian markets sank, forcing the central bank to step in to prop up the real, after President Jair Bolsonaro revived plans to launch a social program that investors fear could jeopardize a key austerity rule.

The Brazilian real lost as much as 2% on Monday after the government suggested that money for the program -- rebranded Citizen Income -- would come from limiting payments mandated by court decisions and redirecting resources from an educational fund known as Fundeb.