Brazilian Vice President Michel Temer is currently being investigated for impeachment just as the Brazilian president is also going through impeachment proceedings, which could lead to fast-tracked elections.
Justice Marco Aurelio Mello of the Brazilian Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that the Lower House — the equivalent of the House of Representatives — of Brazil’s Congress look into Temer. The Brazilian veep was the head of the largest coalition partner of Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff’s flailing government.
Senator Valdir Raupp of Temer’s PMDB party floated the idea Monday that snap presidential elections could put a definitive end to the crisis. Rousseff commented Tuesday that she would be open to holding snap elections so long as they also include congressional elections.
After the judge issued his ruling, Temer stepped down as the leader of his political party, the Brazilian Democratic Movement Party (PMDB). The Brazilian political system is in complete disarray because both Rousseff and Temer could be ousted.
Brazil finds itself in a wide-ranging political and economic scandal due to corruption allegations that began against the senior management of Petrobras, the country’s state-owned oil firm. Since initial proceedings began, the heads of Odebrecht, the largest construction firm in Brazil, and BTG Pactual, the largest investment bank in the country, are both behind bars.
The situation came to a head in March when authorities detained former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, formerly a union boss and who presided over Brazil’s unprecedented economic growth, for corruption. Known as Lula, da Silva also served as the political mentor to Rousseff.
The Speaker of Brazil’s Lower House, Eduardo Cunha, will now decide if impeachment proceedings against Temer are necessary. Cunha is also in hot water and facing investigation for bribery.
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