Protests erupt in Brazil over controversial 20-year austerity plan

By Deborah Bloom, Emiko Jozuka and Shasta Darlington, CNN

Updated 6:50 AM ET, Wed December 14, 2016

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Demonstrators clash with police during a protest in front of the National Congress in Brasilia on December 13, 2016.
Demonstrators clash with police during a protest in front of the National Congress in Brasilia on December 13, 2016.

Story highlights

  • Brazil approves a constitutional amendment that caps public spending
  • Protesters take to the streets in 15 cities over the amendment

(CNN)Fierce protests erupted in 15 Brazilian cities Tuesday as the country's Senate approved a controversial 20-year austerity plan.

Known as PEC 55, the constitutional amendment imposes a cap on public spending that will limit federal investment in social programs for the next 20 years.
Brazil's Senate approved the spending bill 53 to 16, and it is expected to become law Thursday.
    Protesters throw a flare towards the Sao Paulo Industry Federation building in Sao Paolo, Brazil, on Wednesday, December 14. Protests erupted across 15 cities in Brazil as lawmakers voted to pass constitutional amendment PEC 55, which will limit public spending over a 20 year period.
    Photos: Brazilians protest austerity plan
    Protesters throw a flare towards the Sao Paulo Industry Federation building in Sao Paolo, Brazil, on Wednesday, December 14. Protests erupted across 15 cities in Brazil as lawmakers voted to pass constitutional amendment PEC 55, which will limit public spending over a 20 year period.
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    Demonstrators face-off with police in the city of Brasilia on Tuesday, December 13.
    Photos: Brazilians protest austerity plan
    Demonstrators face-off with police in the city of Brasilia on Tuesday, December 13.
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    A protester fires a slingshot at police during a demonstration in Brasilia on December 13.
    Photos: Brazilians protest austerity plan
    A protester fires a slingshot at police during a demonstration in Brasilia on December 13.
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    A demonstrator holds a sign that reads, "peace, love, and unity," in the midst of a clash between protesters and police outside the National Congress in Brasilia on December 13.
    Photos: Brazilians protest austerity plan
    A demonstrator holds a sign that reads, "peace, love, and unity," in the midst of a clash between protesters and police outside the National Congress in Brasilia on December 13.
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    Riot police fire tear gas grenades at protesters in Brasilia on December 13.
    Photos: Brazilians protest austerity plan
    Riot police fire tear gas grenades at protesters in Brasilia on December 13.
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    A protester gestures in front of the National Congress in Brasilia on December 13.
    Photos: Brazilians protest austerity plan
    A protester gestures in front of the National Congress in Brasilia on December 13.
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    A fight breaks out between demonstrators and police in Brasilia on December 13.
    Photos: Brazilians protest austerity plan
    A fight breaks out between demonstrators and police in Brasilia on December 13.
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    A police officer is seen with an injury during clashes with protesters in Brasilia on December 13.
    Photos: Brazilians protest austerity plan
    A police officer is seen with an injury during clashes with protesters in Brasilia on December 13.
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    A bus blazes after being set on fire by protesters in Brasilia.
    Photos: Brazilians protest austerity plan
    A bus blazes after being set on fire by protesters in Brasilia.
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    A police officer wears a white flower on his bulletproof vest while participating in a public servants' protest against the austerity measures in front of the State Assembly in Rio de Janeiro on Monday, December 12, as lawmakers began the voting measures.