Senate seeks to reinforce government powers over budget

Separately, the upper house of parliament or Senate, has called for the government to be given greater powers so that it can block a motion or amendment which radically cuts state revenues or increases spending. The change has little chance of being supported in the lower house of parliament but senators say they will try again after lower house elections in May. Senators also want to change the rules so that a minimum 10 lower house deputies would be needed to propose a law or amendment instead of just one.