By Marcela Ayres
BRASILIA, July 30 (Reuters) – Brazilian household indebtedness eased only marginally in May, the first month of a broad government debt-renegotiation program launched by President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva as he prepares to seek re-election in October.
Central bank data released on Thursday showed total household debt — measured as outstanding liabilities as a share of income accumulated over the previous 12 months — edged down to 49.8% in May from 49.9% in April, which had marked the highest level since the series began in 2011.
Lula launched in May a new phase of the so-called “Desenrola” debt-relief program, allowing borrowers in default earning up to five times the minimum wage to renegotiate debts.
Finance Minister…