The political crisis in Brazil keeps taking
unexpected twists and turns as the future of President Dilma Rousseff
hangs in the balance. With less than 100 days until the Olympic Games in
Rio de Janeiro and the world spotlight on Brazil, here’s a look at
everything you need to know about the country's impeachment process and
political and economic situation.
1. Is the impeachment still on?
The impeachment process against Rousseff over breaking budgetary laws
is back on track after the speaker of the lower house of Congress,
Waldir Maranhao, reversed his decision to annul impeachment procedures
Tuesday, Reuters reported.
Maranhao did not give a reason for his U-turn after making the surprise
announcement Monday that he wanted to annul the vote referring the
impeachment to the Senate. His decision Monday sent Brazilian markets
into a further spiral and sparked more protests.
2. What is the next step in the process?
Brazil’s Senate is expected to vote Wednesday on whether to suspend
Rousseff for as long as six months pending a potential trial
on corruption allegations. If this takes place, Vice President Michel
Temer would take over and run the government until, perhaps, November,
when a Senate committee would examine Rousseff’s case. The entire Senate
would vote on Rousseff’s case, and it would take a two-thirds majority
to remove her from office.
3. When did the crisis begin?
Allegations of corruption date back to the start of Rousseff’s first
term in 2011. Brazil’s political elites have been accused of profiting
from a kickback scheme involving state oil company Petrobras. Rousseff
served as the chairwoman of Petrobras, but she has not been tied to profiting
from kickbacks. The allegations against her stem from borrowing money
from state financial institutions to cover up a growing deficit before
the 2014 election. The proceedings began in December 2015, and the House
voted to impeach in April. Brazil is entering its second year of
recession.
President
Dilma Rousseff attends the launch ceremony of the national agricultural
and livestock plan for 2016-2017, at the Planalto Palace in Brasilia,
May 4, 2016. Photo: Reuters/Ueslei Marcelino
4. Who are the key players?
Besides Rousseff, the impeachment proceedings have also called former
President Luis Inácio (Lula) da Silva into question. He has also been
accused of corruption but has denied these claims. The former speaker of
the House, Eduardo Cunha, initiated the proceedings, but was replaced
by Maranhao last week because he is also being investigated for
corruption.
5. What is happening to Brazil’s economy?
The country’s political crisis is coming at a moment of economic
decline for a nation that was seen in the 2000s as a rising economic
powerhouse in Latin America. Brazil’s unemployment rate has reached
double digits at 10.2 percent up from 7.4 percent a year earlier. The
recession has hit the emerging middle class
hard as inflation soars and wages stagnate or decrease. Following news
Tuesday that the impeachment was back on track, Brazil’s currency fell
by 4.6 percent before slightly rebounding.
Post a Comment