The Brazilian Lower House of Congress approved the impeachment procedure of the President Dilma Rousseff on Sunday night 17 April. A two-thirds majority of votes was required in the Chamber of Deputies, composed of 513 members, in order to approve the impeachment motion. The final vote was 367 for impeachment and 137 against. Due to this decision, the impeachment measure will now move directly to the Senate, where only a simple majority is needed to decide on whether to hold a trial which could force Rousseff to step down. If the majority approves it, the Brazilian first female President will be forced to resign for at least 180 days in order to prepare to her trial which will be crucial for her political career. Rousseff is accused of breaking budget laws by manipulating the government account back in 2014.

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If Dilma Rousseff is impeached during a vote in the Senate, Vice-President Michel Temer would become interim-President, with Eduardo Cunha, the current speaker of the Lower House of Congress, as his Vice-President, both from the PMDB party. Nevertheless, Temer and Cunha can also face allegations very soon and become subjects to the impeachment procedure. Furthermore, Rousseff accuses both of them of plotting a coup against her. 

The impeachment of Roussef 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. Earlier protests of several millions occurred against the current government over the Petrobras scandal and allegations of corruption. Former President of Brazil Lula da Silva is alleged to have been responsible for corruption scandals linked to the state-owned oil giant Petrobras. Rousseff has attempted to prevent Lula's prosecution before by trying to make him Chief of Staff, an appointment that was later overturned.

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

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.