Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has announced a 15% increase in the country's main cash-transfer programme for poor families, Bolsa Família, and the provision of free weight-loss jabs. These announcements come two weeks before the presidential election on 4 October, where Lula will face Senator Flávio Bolsonaro.
The increase in the monthly payment, from approximately £98 to £113, was announced on Thursday and is scheduled to take effect on 19 October, just before a likely runoff vote on 25 October. Lula stated the increase is an inflation adjustment to "protect the purchasing power of the most vulnerable families."
Opponents have criticised the timing of the announcements, with Flávio Bolsonaro calling it an "act of desperation" and alleging Lula is trying to "buy the votes of the poor." The increase is expected to benefit between 15% and 20% of voters. Some electoral law experts suggest an inflation adjustment is not prohibited, though a case has been filed seeking to suspend the increase until the president-elect takes office.