Politics · Brazil · 19 hrs ago
Flávio Bolsonaro's campaign site promises minimum-wage increases tied to inflation
Brazilian senator and presidential candidate Flávio Bolsonaro has launched a website to answer claims he says are false.
On the minimum wage, the site says he would keep it linked to inflation but does not promise increases above inflation.
Brazil's current rule adds positive economic growth to inflation when setting minimum-wage increases, with increases above inflation capped at 2.5%.
The minimum wage also affects the value of social and pension benefits, so changes can affect government spending.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva says Bolsonaro would cut social programs to reduce spending, while Bolsonaro says he will not make poorer people bear the cost.
His campaign says Bolsa Família and other assistance programs would continue, but the website does not clarify whether their benefit rules would change.
The issue is part of the presidential campaign debate over public spending and support for lower-income people.
Flávio Bolsonaro’s campaign website says he would adjust the minimum wage for inflation but does not promise increases above inflation.
The site says his government would keep existing social programs and would not cut spending at the expense of poorer people and retirees.
The policy has become a point of disagreement in the presidential campaign, with Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva warning that Flávio would cut social programs to pursue fiscal adjustment.
Flávio denies intending to make cuts at the expense of poorer people, while his advisers support a major reduction in public spending.
Brazil’s current rule provides for minimum-wage increases above inflation, subject to a limit of 2.5% above inflation under a measure approved by Lula.
- Who
- Flávio Bolsonaro, a senator and presidential candidate from the PL, and Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
- What
- Flávio’s campaign website says he would adjust the minimum wage for inflation but does not promise real increases.
- When
- The site was published on Thursday, October 8; the articles were published on October 11, 2026.
- Where
- Brazil.
- Why
- The pledge is part of a campaign dispute over fiscal adjustment and the future of social programs and benefits.
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
Flávio Bolsonaro
Social spending and fiscal adjustment
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
Lula says Flávio would cut government social programs in the name of fiscal adjustment.
Flávio Bolsonaro
Flávio says he will not make savings at the expense of poorer people and retirees, and says existing social programs will be maintained.
Minimum-wage increases
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
The current rule provides for increases above inflation.
Flávio Bolsonaro
Flávio’s website mentions adjustment for inflation but does not promise increases above inflation.
Flávio’s government will keep existing social programs, with improved management, correction of distortions and a fight against fraud. In other words, the Flávio Bolsonaro government will serve those who need it.
What Flávio supports is pay by the hour worked, while maintaining all the labor rights that have been won, such as FGTS, vacation and a 13th-month salary.
Lula’s government restored the rule providing for minimum-wage increases above inflation.
Flávio’s campaign published its website addressing claims it described as fake news.
Flávio committed to increasing pensions above inflation.
UOL and Folha published reports about the website’s minimum-wage pledge.
- Campaign candidate
- Flávio Bolsonaro (PL)
- Website publication
- Thursday, October 8, 2026
- Inflation-linked increase limit
- 2.5% above inflation
- Current inflation measure
- INPC, plus positive GDP growth
- Social program named
- BPC, or Continuous Cash Benefit
- Proposed fiscal adjustment
- About 2% of GDP in an initial adjustment
Sources
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