Brazil's president dismisses general strike as democracy in action

Brazil's President Michel Temer on Sunday dismissed a massive nationwide general strike against proposed austerity measures as just democracy in action.

The measures "initially generate objections and protests, but they are typical of the robust democracy we have in our country," Temer told reporters following a public event in Sao Paulo.

Temer also indicated his government will not be swayed by public opinion, saying "whatever happens, whether there are protests or not, Brazil continues and will continue to work."

To reduce the public deficit, the government has drafted a highly unpopular labor reform package, that includes raising the retirement age, and has slashed social spending, leading unions to organize a general strike that millions appear to have taken part in on Friday.

A poll published by regional daily Folha de Sao Paulo showed Temer's government with a mere 9 percent approval rating, while a whopping 61 percent of the people rated his administration as bad or awful.

The survey by polling firm Datafolha queried 2,781 registered voters across 172 cities on Wednesday and Thursday prior to the strike, and has a 2-percent margin of error. Endit