Brazilian Senate poised to approve freight MP as trucker protests loom

The Lula government has intensified monitoring of truck driver mobilisations after protests in Santos (SP) and Salvador demanded Senate action on the provisional measure (MP) 1.343, known as the MP do Frete. The measure, which revises the calculation of the freight minimum floor by adding costs such as fuel, maintenance, insurance and tolls, is set to expire on Thursday, 16 May unless approved by the Senate.

Government officials, including Transport Ministry executive secretary George Santoro, met with the AGU, Casa Civil and congressional leaders to push for a vote, expecting the Senate to act on Tuesday, 14 May. Truckers, led by Abrava president Wallace Landim (“Chorão”), have threatened nationwide stoppages and have pressured Senate president Davi Alcolumbre, saying “vote the MP or we will stop Brazil as in 2018.” If the MP lapses, the current reforms would fall and a new legislative process would be required, while opposition from agribusiness and transport firms warns of higher costs and inflationary pressure.