BRASILIA, (Reuters) – Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff vowed yesterday that her government will not spend beyond its means, rejecting the temptation of increasing outlays to improve public services in the wake of an outburst of national discontent last month.
In one of the most delicate moments of her presidency, Rousseff said her Workers Party government remained committed to the fiscal responsibility needed to curb high inflation and keep public finances in order.
Massive street protests against Brazil’s poor public transport, health and education services in June undermined Rousseff’s popularity and raised pressure on her government to increase spending ahead of next year’s elections.
“Our pact for fiscal stability and inflation control limits any temptation for fiscal populism,” Rousseff said in a speech to an advisory group of ministers and business leaders.
