Rousseff impeachment finally goes ahead in Brazil
The large Senate majority suggests that Rousseff's departure is permanent, with an adverse trial outcome highly likely
After a 21-hour debate, the Senate this morning voted by 55-22 to suspend President Dilma Rousseff for 180 days while she faces an impeachment trial. The Supreme Court yesterday rejected her last-ditch attempt to suspend the process. Rousseff, who will give a press conference later today, must step down on receiving formal notification and will be replaced by Vice-President Michel Temer as interim president. Temer will announce a cabinet this afternoon, although he seems to have rowed back from his initial plan to appoint ministers based on qualifications rather than party affiliation in a bid to ensure political backing.
Our judgement
Although Rousseff's ouster seems likely to be permanent, Temer's succession is unpopular, with about two-thirds of Brazilians favouring new elections. In addition to the deep recession, Temer faces a range of political obstacles: protests and probable strikes by Rousseff's Workers' Party and allied trade unions; the opposition Social Democrats' reluctance to join his government officially; and the difficulties of his own Democratic Movement Party (PMDB). With PMDB Lower House leader Eduardo Cunha suspended and Temer's relations with its Senate president, Renan Calheiros, historically tense, passing legislation may prove slow and costly.
See BRAZIL: Temer would seek orthodox policy turn - April 18, 2016.