Brazil lawmakers open pension debate as Bolsonaro pushes private savings accounts

Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro attends a ceremony of hoisting the national flag in front the Planalto Palace in Brasilia, Brazil June 18, 2019. REUTERS/Adriano Machado

BRASILIA (Reuters) - Brazil's congressional committee on pension reform began debating a revised bill on Tuesday, as President Jair Bolsonaro urged lawmakers to rethink their move to drop his plan to introduce a retirement system based on private savings accounts.

The debate, which could extend into next week, comes ahead of a committee vote on the bill by June 26, according to lower house Speaker Rodrigo Maia, before it is considered for plenary approval.