Brazil Leader Shops to Test Effects of Anti-Inflation Plan
President Fernando Collor de Mello paid a surprise visit to a supermarket today to prove that his anti-inflationary plan has reduced prices.
Accompanied by security guards, Collor spent an hour at the supermarket, armed with a list of staple goods whose prices have been frozen since the plan took effect March 16.
Onlookers applauded as Collor put 19 items in his shopping cart, including chicken, beef, coffee, rice, sugar and toilet paper. He paid the equivalent of $28 for the goods and then donated them to a boy who was begging in front of the store.
Collor told reporters he had confirmed that prices had fallen by 11.5% since March 15, when inflation was running at more than 80% a month.
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