Following the Senate’s decision, Temer promised to set Brazil’s economy back in motion and to take strict measures with the objective of raising the country’s credit rating after it was lowered past year. Brazil’s currency has rebounded slightly against the dollar.
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“This is a moment of hope, to rebuild trust in Brazil”. A historic end also came for her leftwing Workers’ party in Latin America’s largest economy.
“From today on, the expectations are much higher for the government”. The new president did not make a speech but has already recorded an address to be broadcast live to the nation.
The Senate voted yesterday to convict Rousseff on charges of having illegally manipulated government accounts, stripping her of her office and replacing her with her bitter enemy and former vice president Michel Temer.
Rousseff, aged 68, a former member of the guerrilla, who was imprisoned and tortured during the military dictatorship (1964-1985), is the first woman elected to lead Brazil. According to polls in April, many Brazilians favor a new election altogether and want Temer impeached, too.
Upon assuming interim control in May, Temer named a cabinet of all white men.
Rousseff was impeached on Wednesday after the Brazilian Senate voted in favour of the decision. With the world watching, Temer was booed at the Opening Ceremony at the Rio Olympics. It remains uncertain whether he will have voters’ support to push through the painful austerity reforms he promises.
Fallout from corruption scandal is just unfolding.
In the background of the fight was a wide-ranging investigation into billions of dollars in kickbacks at state oil company Petrobras.
Rousseff is known for her disdain for dialogue and her impatience with negotiations, and her detractors branded her arrogant. Her critics complained that she lacked charisma, competence, and humility.
My guess is that her mentor Lula will be next. In an interview with CNN, he denied wrongdoing but acknowledged that as President, he could face impeachment. However, this is a step in the right direction for those of us who believe that corruption (i.e., crony capitalism) is holding back so much of this region.
Rousseff said that her removal was a “parliamentary coup”, and insisted that an economic elite was seeking to crack down on social programs that had helped millions of poor Brazilians over the past decade.
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Speaking from the presidential palace, accompanied by allied politicians and union leaders, Rousseff said the Senate “had taken a decision which enters into the history of great injustices”.
