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Brazilians take to streets for protest as pressure builds on Rousseff Brazilians take to streets for protest as pressure builds on Rousseff
(34 minutes later)
Brazilians have taken to the streets across the country for an anti-government protest that is seen as a barometer of popular discontent with the president, Dilma Rousseff.Brazilians have taken to the streets across the country for an anti-government protest that is seen as a barometer of popular discontent with the president, Dilma Rousseff.
Called out mostly by activist groups via social media, Sunday’s protests assailed Rousseff, who is fighting for her political life amid a snowballing corruption scandal that has embroiled politicians from her Workers’ party, as well as a sputtering economy, spiralling currency and rising inflation. It was the third nationwide day of protests against Rousseff’s government this year, following large-scale demonstrations in March and April.Called out mostly by activist groups via social media, Sunday’s protests assailed Rousseff, who is fighting for her political life amid a snowballing corruption scandal that has embroiled politicians from her Workers’ party, as well as a sputtering economy, spiralling currency and rising inflation. It was the third nationwide day of protests against Rousseff’s government this year, following large-scale demonstrations in March and April.
Political analysts said the turnout at Sunday’s demonstrations could determine the protest movement’s future. Massive crowds could ratchet up the pressure on the government while a low turnout would give Rousseff some breathing room. Political analysts said the turnout at Sunday’s demonstrations could determine the protest movement’s future. Massive crowds could ratchet up the pressure on the government, while a low turnout would give Rousseff some breathing room.
Thousands of people brandishing green and yellow Brazilian flags streamed onto Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, and smaller demonstrations were under way in the Amazonian city of Belem and the central city of Belo Horizonte. Thousands of people brandishing Brazilian flags streamed onto Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, and smaller demonstrations were under way in the Amazonian city of Belem and the central city of Belo Horizonte.
In the capital, Brasilia, a march on a central avenue flanked by ministries and monuments appeared to have drawn several thousand participants. More than 200 demonstrations were expected around the country.In the capital, Brasilia, a march on a central avenue flanked by ministries and monuments appeared to have drawn several thousand participants. More than 200 demonstrations were expected around the country.
The demonstrations were called largely by web-based activist groups with demands ranging from Rousseff’s impeachment to a return to military dictatorship like the one that ruled the country from 1964-1985. But an end to corruption appeared to be a top demand, amid the widening inquiry into corruption at the state-run Petrobras oil company.The demonstrations were called largely by web-based activist groups with demands ranging from Rousseff’s impeachment to a return to military dictatorship like the one that ruled the country from 1964-1985. But an end to corruption appeared to be a top demand, amid the widening inquiry into corruption at the state-run Petrobras oil company.
Operation Car Wash, which began more than a year ago as an investigation into a bribes-for-contracts scheme at Petrobras, has exposed how widely corruption permeates Brazilian society, catching top members of the Workers’ and other political parties, as well as executives of powerful construction companies.Operation Car Wash, which began more than a year ago as an investigation into a bribes-for-contracts scheme at Petrobras, has exposed how widely corruption permeates Brazilian society, catching top members of the Workers’ and other political parties, as well as executives of powerful construction companies.
Lincoln Carlos, a 60-year-old businessman, said he was joining the Rio de Janeiro protest to call for an end to corruption.Lincoln Carlos, a 60-year-old businessman, said he was joining the Rio de Janeiro protest to call for an end to corruption.
“They’ve robbed the country,” he said. “It shameful.”“They’ve robbed the country,” he said. “It shameful.”
Amid the corruption investigation and an economic crunch that has seen the once-booming economy teeter on the brink of recession, Rousseff’s popularity ratings have fallen to a level not seen since 1992, when President Fernando Collor de Mello was forced from office after being impeached for corruption. A poll this month showed only 8% of those surveyed considered Brazil’s government to be “great” or “good.” By contrast, 71% said the government was a “failure.” The Datafolha poll was based on interviews with 3,358 people on 4 and 5 August and had an error margin of plus or minus 2 percentage points. Amid the corruption investigation and an economic crunch that has seen the once-booming economy teeter on the brink of recession, Rousseff’s popularity ratings have fallen to a level not seen since 1992, when President Fernando Collor de Mello was forced from office after being impeached for corruption.
A poll this month showed only 8% of those surveyed considered Brazil’s government to be “great” or “good.” By contrast, 71% said the government was a “failure.” The Datafolha poll was based on interviews with 3,358 people on 4 and 5 August and had an error margin of plus or minus two percentage points.