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Brazil corruption: Is the government in crisis? Rousseff impeachment: How did Brazil get here?
(3 days later)
A congressional committee in Brazil has recommended the impeachment of President Dilma Rousseff for allegedly manipulating government accounts. Brazil's lower house of Congress has voted to start impeachment proceedings against President Dilma Rousseff over accusations of manipulating government accounts.
Mrs Rousseff faces charges of breaking budget laws to support her re-election in 2014. The process will now move to the upper house, the Senate, which is expected to suspend Ms Rousseff while it carries out a formal trial.
Millions of Brazilians have called for her impeachment and the arrest of former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Millions of Brazilians have called for the president to be impeached, but her supporters accuse the opposition of mounting a coup.
Here we take a closer look at the problems in Brazil and what has gone wrong since President Rousseff was re-elected for a second term in October 2014.Here we take a closer look at the problems in Brazil and what has gone wrong since President Rousseff was re-elected for a second term in October 2014.
Is Brazil in crisis? President Rousseff under fire
Brazil's largest circulation newspaper, Folha de S Paulo, seems to think so. It has a whole section entitled "Brazil in crisis" under which it lists its latest articles on the recent protests, various corruption investigations and attempts to impeach President Rousseff. President Dilma Rousseff's approval ratings have plummeted since she narrowly won the presidential election in October 2014.
Rio-based O Globo speaks in its editorial (in Portuguese) of a "deep and wide crisis driven by the biggest nationwide street demonstrations in the history of the country". According to a Datafolha poll (in Portuguese) released on 11 April, 63% of respondents across the country said her government was "bad or terrible", with only 13% saying it was "good or excellent".
And it is not just the media who are speaking of a crisis. Experts say this reflects a deep recession and the corruption investigation at the state-controlled oil company Petrobras. The probe has implicated important figures from her Workers' Party, but also some of her opponents.
Senator Tasso Jereissati of Brazil's opposition Social Democratic Party also spoke of a crisis and said that within his party "there is full realisation that the moment is quite serious". The brief detention by police of her mentor and predecessor in office, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and his nomination as minister giving him some legal protection, have further hurt the president's image.
The impeachment motion has come amid allegations that she manipulated the government's accounts in 2014 when she was seeking re-election. She denies any wrongdoing and has accused her rivals of mounting a coup.
The vote at the lower house was seen by observers as humiliating for Ms Rousseff, as it exceeded by a comfortable margin the mark needed to send the case to the Senate.
Ms Rousseff was head of the board at Petrobras from 2003 to 2010, and many of her opponents say she must have known about the corruption scandal.
She has always denied any involvement and a parliamentary commission cleared her of wrongdoing in October 2015.
Possible successors also under accusation
If the Senate decides by a simple majority to put Ms Rousseff on trial, she will be immediately suspended for up to six months and Vice-President Michel Temer will take office.
A vote is expected in early May, and reports have suggested that a majority of senators will stand against her.
But the three men in the line of succession have faced accusations of wrongdoings. They are all from the PMDB party, the largest party in the coalition, which abandoned Ms Rousseff in recent weeks to support the impeachment.
They all deny the allegations against them.
Economy in the doldrumsEconomy in the doldrums
Brazil's economy is going through its worst recession in more than three decades following a drop in prices for Brazilian commodities such as oil, iron ore and soya.Brazil's economy is going through its worst recession in more than three decades following a drop in prices for Brazilian commodities such as oil, iron ore and soya.
In 2015, the economy shrank by 3.8%, its worst annual performance since 1981.In 2015, the economy shrank by 3.8%, its worst annual performance since 1981.
Inflation reached 10.7% at the end of last year, a 12-year-high.Inflation reached 10.7% at the end of last year, a 12-year-high.
Unemployment increased to 9% in 2015 and economists predict it could go into double figures in the coming months.Unemployment increased to 9% in 2015 and economists predict it could go into double figures in the coming months.
Brazil's currency lost a third of its value against the dollar in 2015 and its value dropped again after the mass protests of 13 March. Brazil's currency, which lost a third of its value against the dollar in 2015, has regained some ground as investors seem to celebrate Ms Rousseff's recent defeats.
They criticise her for interventionist policies and believe Mr Temer will lead a more market-friendly government, experts say.
CorruptionCorruption
One of the main complaints by protesters who took to the streets on 13 March was the high level of corruption which has tainted the highest echelons of business and politics in Brazil. One of the main complaints by protesters who have taken to the streets recently was the high level of corruption that has tainted the highest echelons of business and politics in Brazil.
Since the Workers' Party came to power in 2003, there has been a series of corruption scandals involving politicians from the governing party and also opposition parties. The two biggest are:Since the Workers' Party came to power in 2003, there has been a series of corruption scandals involving politicians from the governing party and also opposition parties. The two biggest are:
Who has been convicted?Who has been convicted?
The allegations of corruption are far reaching and include top politicians and businessmen. Twenty-five people were convicted in connection with the Mensalao scandal. They included:The allegations of corruption are far reaching and include top politicians and businessmen. Twenty-five people were convicted in connection with the Mensalao scandal. They included:
Among the top names convicted in connection with Operation Car Wash are:Among the top names convicted in connection with Operation Car Wash are:
President Rousseff under fire
President Dilma Rousseff's approval ratings have plummeted since she narrowly won the presidential election in October 2014.
She now faces a vote to impeach her over allegations that she broke budget laws to support her re-election in 2014.
If two-thirds of Brazil's lower house votes in favour, the impeachment will be referred to the Senate.
If the Senate decides by a simple majority to put Mrs Rousseff on trial, she will be immediately suspended for up to six months and Vice-President Michel Temer will take office.
According to a Datafolha poll released on 28 February, only 11% of respondents across the country said the president's performance was "good or excellent".
Ms Rousseff was head of the board at Petrobras from 2003 to 2010. Many of her opponents say she must have known about the corruption scandal.
She has always denied any involvement and a parliamentary commission cleared her of any wrongdoing in October 2015.
The brief detention by police of her mentor and predecessor in office, ex-President Lula, further hurt the president's image.
Lula in the spotlightLula in the spotlight
President Lula, who governed the country for eight years from 2003 and was one of Brazil's most popular politicians, was briefly detained on 4 March as part of Operation Car Wash.President Lula, who governed the country for eight years from 2003 and was one of Brazil's most popular politicians, was briefly detained on 4 March as part of Operation Car Wash.
He was questioned over allegations that he received "illicit benefits" from the Petrobras kickbacks scheme, such as having a construction firm involved in the scandal renovate a luxury beachfront apartment and a ranch allegedly owned by Lula's family. He was questioned over allegations that he received "illicit benefits" from the Petrobras kickbacks scheme, such as having a construction firm involved in the scandal renovate a luxury beachfront apartment and a ranch allegedly owned by Lula's family. Prosecutors filed charges of money laundering against him.
Prosecutors filed charges of money laundering against Lula. Federal Judge Sergio Moro will now have to decide if he accepts those charges. President Rousseff has offered Lula the post of chief of staff, which shields him from the judge's investigation.
President Rousseff has offered Lula the post of chief of staff, which shields him from Judge Moro's investigation.
Under Brazilian law, cabinet members can only be tried by the Supreme Court, not by a federal judge.Under Brazilian law, cabinet members can only be tried by the Supreme Court, not by a federal judge.
The move is highly divisive among Brazilians. Some believe he is the victim of a political vendetta while others argue that his alleged misdeeds are catching up with him.The move is highly divisive among Brazilians. Some believe he is the victim of a political vendetta while others argue that his alleged misdeeds are catching up with him.
The fact that Lula has hinted that he would be willing to run again for the presidency in 2018 has further increased the scrutiny he is under.The fact that Lula has hinted that he would be willing to run again for the presidency in 2018 has further increased the scrutiny he is under.
A country dividedA country divided
Supporters and opponents of President Rousseff and Lula have held rival rallies in the past weeks and feelings are running high on both sides. The political crisis has deepened old political rivalries.
Supporters of the governing Workers' Party point to the achievements the Rousseff and Lula administrations brought about, such as lifting millions of people out of poverty and reducing inequality.Supporters of the governing Workers' Party point to the achievements the Rousseff and Lula administrations brought about, such as lifting millions of people out of poverty and reducing inequality.
They say that the allegations against them are a smear campaign designed to drive Ms Rousseff from office and prevent Lula from standing for the presidency in 2018.They say that the allegations against them are a smear campaign designed to drive Ms Rousseff from office and prevent Lula from standing for the presidency in 2018.
They say that the massive corruption investigations are a sign that under the Rousseff government such crimes are being punished rather than swept under the carpet as in previous administrations.They say that the massive corruption investigations are a sign that under the Rousseff government such crimes are being punished rather than swept under the carpet as in previous administrations.
The fact that high-ranking members of the Workers' Party have been convicted, they argue, is proof that there is no immunity.The fact that high-ranking members of the Workers' Party have been convicted, they argue, is proof that there is no immunity.
Opponents of President Rousseff accuse her of mismanaging the economy and say her government is deeply corrupt.Opponents of President Rousseff accuse her of mismanaging the economy and say her government is deeply corrupt.
They say they are fed up with the Workers' Party after its 13 years in power and demand a clean slate.They say they are fed up with the Workers' Party after its 13 years in power and demand a clean slate.