Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro at a military promotion ceremony at the Planalto Presidential Palace, Brasilia, Brazil, April 5, 2019 (AP photo by Eraldo Peres).

Lawmakers in Brazil are expected to begin discussions on a draft proposal to reform the country’s pension system next week. The issue represents a key hurdle for President Jair Bolsonaro, who has pledged to rein in budget deficits and restore investor confidence amid persistent signs of weakness in the Brazilian economy. In an interview with WPR, Peter Kingstone, a professor of politics and development at King’s College London, discusses the thorny political issues surrounding pension reform in Brazil. World Politics Review: Why is pension reform seen as so important in Brazil? How dire are the country’s financial straits? Peter Kingstone: […]

U.S. President Donald Trump and Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro during a news conference in the Rose Garden of the White House, Washington, March 19, 2019 (AP photo by Evan Vucci).

In a sign of the high value he places on forging closer ties with Washington, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro made the United States his first bilateral trip overseas as president last month. At a meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House, the two liked-minded leaders agreed to deepen cooperation on a wide range of issues, and Trump announced his administration would designate Brazil as a major non-NATO ally. In an interview with WPR, Guilherme Casarões, a professor of comparative politics at the Getulio Vargas Foundation in Sao Paulo, explains the ideological origins of Bolsonaro’s charm offensive and why […]