Although crowd estimates were scarce, the demonstrations appeared smaller than May 15 protests against Bolsonaro's planned spending freeze on education, which sent tens of thousands into the streets.

On Sunday, there were pro-government rallies in at least 156 cities.

Bolsonaro easily won election last year, but since taking office on January 1 his popularity has fallen in several polls. A survey released on Friday showed more Brazilians disapprove of his government than approve, a sharp swing in public opinion but not enough to turn off core supporters.

Those in the streets on Sunday argued Brazil's corrupt political system has not allowed Bolsonaro to push through his legislative agenda.

They say Bolsonaro is standing by his core pledge to not engage in the traditional political horse trading in Brasilia that is largely blamed for high levels of corruption in the nation's political class.

Bolsonaro initially considered participating in the demonstrations, before deciding against it and recommending the government's ministers not to join.

Still, Bolsonaro tweeted a half dozen times about the marches on Sunday and in a TV interview called them "the people's spontaneous manifestation."

In Rio de Janeiro, most demonstrators in the famous Copacabana Beach wore Brazil soccer team t-shirts and protested against House Speaker Rodrigo Maia.

Demonstrators brought an inflatable doll of Maia with logos of companies accused of paying him bribes, alongside an inflatable doll of former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva dressed in a striped jail suit.

The former president has been convicted of accepting bribes but the house speaker has not been charged with such crimes.

Bolsonaro rode to power last year on campaign promises to end a culture of political corruption, crack down on crime and kick off an economic recovery by overhauling the social security system. The first months of his government have been marked by infighting in the cabinet and strained relations with Congress.

Australian Associated Press