The Supreme Federal Court (STF) has ruled that the government cannot use constitutional amendments to bypass budget rules. This decision has been hailed as a 'brake on fiscal manoeuvring' by Senator Randolfe Rodrigues.

The ruling stems from a case brought by the Public Prosecutor's Office, which argued that the government was using amendments to increase spending without following proper budgetary procedures. The STF agreed, stating that such practices violated the principle of budget transparency and accountability.

The decision is expected to have a significant impact on the government's ability to manage its finances. In the past, the government has frequently used constitutional amendments to increase spending on social programs and other initiatives. However, the STF's ruling now makes it clear that such practices are no longer permissible.