* The transitional government of Brazil’s president-elect hopes to exempt the “Bolsa Familia” welfare program and some public investments from a constitutional spending cap. The country’s oil giant Petrobras has cut fuel prices multiple times this year.
* Canada in November laid out billions in spending to support low earners and offer students debt relief. In September, the government announced a C$4.5 billion package.* European Union countries are racing to reach a deal on a gas price cap by Dec. 13. The bloc’s members are considering a slightly lower gas price cap than the one proposed by the European Commission, documents seen by Reuters showed.
* Italy’s government will spend some 21 billion euros next year to help firms and households with energy costs. * France is fully nationalizing nuclear energy group EDF. The government will cap household power and gas price increases at 15 percent next year and is helping struggling small and mid-sized companies.* Poland will cap electricity prices for small businesses, hospitals and households in 2023, and raise the minimum wage twice.