Brazil's Bolsonaro pressures lawmakers before key fiscal vote

FILE PHOTO: Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro gestures during the ceremony for the Modernization of Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, at the Planalto Palace in Brasilia, Brazil October 7, 2021. REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino/File Photo

BRASILIA (Reuters) -Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro on Tuesday said a vote against expanded government spending next year was a vote against the country, adding pressure on lower house lawmakers ahead of a crucial second-round vote on new fiscal rules.

Bolsonaro is pushing for a change to the constitution that would let the government spend an additional 92 billion reais ($16.5 billion) next year, staggering court-ordered payments so he can ramp up welfare programs ahead of next year's election.