Brazil's Budget Puzzle: What's Next After Congress Drops the Ball?

Brazil's government is in a bit of a pickle. They need to figure out how to fill a hole in their 2026 budget. This happened because a plan to raise more money didn't get approved in time. The Finance Minister, Fernando Haddad, said they'd make a decision by Tuesday afternoon. The plan was pretty straightforward. It included changes to how investments are taxed, higher taxes for fintech and online betting companies, and limits on tax breaks for businesses. There were also stricter rules for some social benefits. The government thought this would bring in a lot of money, but it didn't happen. Why? Because many lawmakers didn't want to raise taxes. They're not fans of the current president's policies. So, the plan expired without a vote. Now, the government is asking Congress to delay the 2026 budget vote again. They need more time to fix things. Haddad mentioned they might bring back parts of the plan, like limits on tax breaks and higher taxes for betting companies. The big question is, will Congress go for it this time? Or will Brazil's budget remain a puzzle?