Brazil’s Lula boosts welfare payments ahead of election

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has signed a decree increasing benefits of his welfare program by 15%. The move comes weeks before the presidential elections. The minimum monthly benefit of Bolsa Familia will rise to 691 reais ($134) per family from next month. Lula first introduced the program in 2003 to aid low-income families. Finance Minister Dario Durigan says the additional spending will be absorbed within existing budget allocations. Polls show Lula and Sen.

Flávio Bolsonaro are running neck-and-neck. Last week, Lula also signed measures to lower fuel prices amid rising costs due to the U.S.-Iran war.

Read the original report at Apnews.