The Paradigmatic Radical Reform in Brazil’s Social Policies: The Impact of the Temer Administration

Since the Brazilian political crisis of 2013, there has been a radical shift in the central government from a left-wing party to a right-wing party, combined with majority support from Congress. This article analyses some impacts of the New Fiscal Regime of the Temer government on social protection in Brazil. We examine the extent to which the New Fiscal Regime has led to retrenchment of social policies and explain the changes. This is undertaken by comparing the Federal Constitution of 1988 and the achievements of the Labour Party in social policies with the New Fiscal Regime, looking mainly at health care and social assistance and the Constitutional provisions regarding social protection. The analysis shows that Roussef’s impeachment changed the balance of power between executive and legislative branches, facing a conservative government coalition with an even more right-wing Congress. We argue that this has allowed this government institutes unpopular measures regarding social protection.