Scandals big and small (part 2)

Tratoraço is what many are calling a recently revealed secret government budget to benefit Brazilian politicians supporting the president. According to the Brazilian newsmagazine Istoé, “Last year … the government targeted R$ 3 billion in amendments to congressmembers from the Centrão who, contrary to what the law permits, could choose where the resources from sponsor amendments would be applied, including to the purchase of tractors at inflated prices.”

The fact that a significant portion of the funds have been used for such agricultural equipment is what gives the scandal its name: trator (“tractor”) plus the augmentative suffix “-aço.” But the augmentatives don’t end there: “Centrão” literally means “Big Center,” referring to the group of centrist parties that have generally been supportive of President Bolsonaro - centro (“center”) + “-ão.”

Regardless of whether they use augmentative or diminutive suffixes, there are plenty of scandals to follow…