On Monday, the 65-member Brazilian special committee voted 38 to 27 in favor of the impeachment of President Dilma Rousseff, as the political crisis is increasing. Rousseff is accused of breaking budget laws by manipulating the government account back in 2014 in order to make her government’s economic achievements appear better, and to ensure her re-election at the time. Moreover, Dilma’s mandate has been surrounded by a vast corruption scandal and a growing recession. As an answer to the allegations, the President's supporters replay that there are no valid grounds for introducing the impeachment motion and claim that this procedure is a political strategy in order to remove the President from office.

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If Dilma Rousseff is impeached during a vote in the Senate, Michel Temer, the current Vice-President and leader of the PMDB would succeed Dilma Rousseff. This would mean the end of the 13 year rule by the PT in Brazil. Especially as its great idol Lula da Silva has been charged with corruption, which he has sought to prevent by becoming Chief of Staff. Earlier protests of several millions occurred against the current government over the Petrobras scandal and allegations of corruption. 

Facing allegations, Brazil’s "iron lady" maintains that her opponents organized a conspiracy against her. However, even two parties being in her coalition said on Tuesday they would vote in favor of the impeachment procedure. The lower house of parliament is expected to vote on Sunday in order to decide about the eventual procedure of removing Rousseff from office. If two thirds vote in favor of the impeachment, the decision will be sent to the Senate, which will decide her fate. If the Senate votes in favor of the impeachment, it would be in fact the first impeachment of a Brazilian President since 1992. Back then Fernando Collor de Mello, who was the first directly elected President after the end of the Brazilian military government, resigned right before his conviction by the Senate, facing the corruption charges.

For more on the possible impeachment of current President of Brazil Dilma Rousseff and its procedure click here  and here.

Former President of Brazil Lula da Silva is alleged to have been responsible for corruption scandals linked to the state-owned oil giant Petrobras. For more on the Petrobras corruption scandals in Brazil click here and here.

For more on the dire economic situation of Brazil click here.
For economic facts and figures on Brazil click here and here.