Brazil’s new president, Michel Temer, promised a “new era” of government for the crisis-hit country Wednesday, shortly after being sworn in following the impeachment of his predecessor, Dilma Rousseff.
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Michel Temer assumed control of Brazil just hours after the upper house of Congress voted 61-20 to impeach Dilma Rousseff.
Rousseff rejects the accusations against her and announced she will appeal the decision. Already receiving name-calling such as “traitor” and “conspirator”, Temor will now end the mandate of Rousseff – that is, until 2018.
A rally held in Sao Paulo, the largest city in Brazil, regarding President Dilma Rousseff’s dismissal degenerated into violence on Wednesday night between protesters and the armed security forces, who used tear gas. With this, the 13 years of rule of leftist Workers Party came to an end.
Unlike numerous politicians who led the charge to oust her, Rousseff, 68, remains a rare breed in Brazil: a prominent leader who has not been accused of illegally enriching herself. “Confidence in the values that form the character of our people, the vitality of our democracy”, he said, adding that “it is urgent we pacify the nation and unite Brazil”. Temer, a 75-year-old career politician, named a Cabinet of all white men, a decision roundly criticized in a nation that is more than 50 percent nonwhite.
The background of the corruption scandals in the wake of an economic downturn strengthened allegations that Rousseff violated fiscal responsibility laws by signing decrees increasing public spending without authorisation and by obtaining loans to the federal government from state-owned banks. “At this time, I will not say goodbye to you”, she said while promising to return and fight a government she believes was installed in a coup. “I am certain I can say “See you soon”.
“Brazil is facing a very complicated landscape over the next two years, when there will be new elections for president”, said Torrico. “They will face the strongest and most energetic opposition that a “putschist” government can face”. A subsequent vote to bar Rousseff from holding public office for eight years failed, Sputniknews reports.
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Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay have refused to allow Venezuela to take the Mercosur presidency, arguing that it has not complied with the minimum requirements to belong to the common market.
