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Brazil supreme court rejects Dilma Rousseff's last minute appeal – live | Brazil supreme court rejects Dilma Rousseff's last minute appeal – live |
(35 minutes later) | |
9.06pm BST | |
21:06 | |
Senate leader Renan Calheiros has said he will not vote whether to impeach Dilma Rousseff, saying that he wants to stay neutral as the president of the chamber. | |
But he was already using the past tense when he spoke of the sitting president of the country, and started speaking in the future tense of vice-president Michel Temer, who is of the senator’s Brazilian Democratic Movement Party (PMDB). | |
“Temer needs the backing of Congress to carry out deep reforms, above all reform of the political system, if he becomes president,” he told reporters between Senate sessions. | |
Reuters notes that Brazil’s glum economy appreciates the possibility that Temer could take power, “on hopes his team could cut a massive fiscal deficit and return the battered economy to growth”. | |
8.46pm BST | |
20:46 | |
Two more say they’ll vote for impeachment. Senator Sergio Petecão admits: “I won’t say we should expect it to solve all the problems.” | |
Petecão is of the Social Democratic Party, which has taken many lawmakers who’ve left Brazil’s rightwing Democrats, and he was formerly of a center-nationalist party. | |
On the other side of the ideological spectrum, Popular Socialist Cristovão Buarque also says he’s voting for impeachment. His decision has not made him popular among the leftists who continue to defend Rousseff, especially since Buarque was once of her party himself. | |
Senator Cristovão Buarque is up. He's voting yes. "It's the left that aged, not me," he says. pic.twitter.com/i5rWARpe2j | |
In between it all is Renan Calheiros, who variously chuckles at his peers, scolds them, and simply watches over it all in amusement. The LA Times’ Vincent Bevins has the simile to beat. | |
During impeachment proceedings, Brazil Senate President plays the role of annoyed schoolteacher: "I recommend that you all pay attention..." | |
8.31pm BST | 8.31pm BST |
20:31 | 20:31 |
If you’re catching up … we’re now at 13 senators who’ve declared for impeachment, one in defense of Dilma Rousseff. The Senate needs a simple majority of present senators to impeach the president, which would be 41 with all 81 senators present. | If you’re catching up … we’re now at 13 senators who’ve declared for impeachment, one in defense of Dilma Rousseff. The Senate needs a simple majority of present senators to impeach the president, which would be 41 with all 81 senators present. |
Senate speeches, Cliff Notes version:shout-outsthis difficult momentunemploymentDilma, LulacorruptionWhat country is this?I vote yes | Senate speeches, Cliff Notes version:shout-outsthis difficult momentunemploymentDilma, LulacorruptionWhat country is this?I vote yes |
8.15pm BST | 8.15pm BST |
20:15 | 20:15 |
The senators of the Brazilian Democratic Movement Party (PMDB) have agreed to give up their speaking time, my colleague Jon Watts reports from the Senate floor. | The senators of the Brazilian Democratic Movement Party (PMDB) have agreed to give up their speaking time, my colleague Jon Watts reports from the Senate floor. |
There are six of them so that saves 90 minutes – but barring more sacrifices from dozens of other senators, we’re still on schedule to finish hours from now. | There are six of them so that saves 90 minutes – but barring more sacrifices from dozens of other senators, we’re still on schedule to finish hours from now. |
Meanwhile the leader of Rousseff’s Workers’ Party, Humberto Costa, is paraphrasing Senator Motas defense of the president. “They want to change the results of the last election,” he says of her enemies in Congress. | Meanwhile the leader of Rousseff’s Workers’ Party, Humberto Costa, is paraphrasing Senator Motas defense of the president. “They want to change the results of the last election,” he says of her enemies in Congress. |
Senador Telmário Mota preciso em suas palavras: Querem mudar no tapetão o resultado das urnas. | Senador Telmário Mota preciso em suas palavras: Querem mudar no tapetão o resultado das urnas. |
But based on the senators who’ve spoken so far Rousseff appears to be in trouble. | But based on the senators who’ve spoken so far Rousseff appears to be in trouble. |
Senate vote is 11 x 1 for impeachment so far. Worse than Brazil in the World Cup, worse than Ed Cunha in Supreme Court. | Senate vote is 11 x 1 for impeachment so far. Worse than Brazil in the World Cup, worse than Ed Cunha in Supreme Court. |
7.57pm BST | 7.57pm BST |
19:57 | 19:57 |
Rousseff has found at least one friend in the Senate and a few outside it. Senator Telmário Mota took the podium to ask: “What country is this?” | Rousseff has found at least one friend in the Senate and a few outside it. Senator Telmário Mota took the podium to ask: “What country is this?” |
“We want a country that respects the law and the constitution and democracy,” he said. “This impeachment was born of revenge, hatred and revenge.” | “We want a country that respects the law and the constitution and democracy,” he said. “This impeachment was born of revenge, hatred and revenge.” |
The newspaper Correio Braziliense points out via tweet that Mota’s question happens to invoke the Brazilian rock band Legião Urbana, whose third album was titled “What country is this?” | The newspaper Correio Braziliense points out via tweet that Mota’s question happens to invoke the Brazilian rock band Legião Urbana, whose third album was titled “What country is this?” |
Senador Telmário Mota (PDT/RR) pergunta: "Que país é esse?" https://t.co/rwxW256blV pic.twitter.com/7QiTc4jGeD | Senador Telmário Mota (PDT/RR) pergunta: "Que país é esse?" https://t.co/rwxW256blV pic.twitter.com/7QiTc4jGeD |
And outside, pro-Rousseff protesters are setting up for a show once the Senate finally gets round to voting. | And outside, pro-Rousseff protesters are setting up for a show once the Senate finally gets round to voting. |
"Democracy, yes! No coup!" pic.twitter.com/7faxe5AsNe | "Democracy, yes! No coup!" pic.twitter.com/7faxe5AsNe |
Updated | Updated |
at 7.58pm BST | at 7.58pm BST |
7.36pm BST | 7.36pm BST |
19:36 | 19:36 |
Inside Congress, a football (soccer) star turned senator, Romário de Souza Faria, has taken the podium. | Inside Congress, a football (soccer) star turned senator, Romário de Souza Faria, has taken the podium. |
“It’s undeniable that the country is going through a very serious crisis,” he says. “The crisis has a political element, but it’s not limited to this.” | “It’s undeniable that the country is going through a very serious crisis,” he says. “The crisis has a political element, but it’s not limited to this.” |
He says that senators have to take charge of the government and enact emergency measures. As for Dilma Rousseff, he says “From everything I’ve read, heard and understand, I have concluded that there’s evidence of a crime of responsibility by the president.” | He says that senators have to take charge of the government and enact emergency measures. As for Dilma Rousseff, he says “From everything I’ve read, heard and understand, I have concluded that there’s evidence of a crime of responsibility by the president.” |
He’s going to vote for impeachment. | He’s going to vote for impeachment. |
Por isso, votarei pela admissão do processo de impeachment. | Por isso, votarei pela admissão do processo de impeachment. |
Outside Congress, a small group of protesters circles for drums and a little half-hearted shuffle dance. | Outside Congress, a small group of protesters circles for drums and a little half-hearted shuffle dance. |
pic.twitter.com/3hYDABE7ch | pic.twitter.com/3hYDABE7ch |
7.15pm BST | 7.15pm BST |
19:15 | 19:15 |
Senator Magno Malta is at the podium, the ninth senator of 68 who were slated to speak – Brazilian press are reporting that the Senate may skip some speeches to get to the actual vote. | Senator Magno Malta is at the podium, the ninth senator of 68 who were slated to speak – Brazilian press are reporting that the Senate may skip some speeches to get to the actual vote. |
Malta is not wasting his opportunity. He too is in favor of impeachment. He’s waving an accusatory finger at the Senate and shouting at his colleagues about the dire state of Brazil, comparing corruption to diseases: “like diabetics, we have to amputate the limb”. | Malta is not wasting his opportunity. He too is in favor of impeachment. He’s waving an accusatory finger at the Senate and shouting at his colleagues about the dire state of Brazil, comparing corruption to diseases: “like diabetics, we have to amputate the limb”. |
He starts yelling about how Rousseff’s Workers’ Party is “against the family” and wants to legalize abortion. “My children educate me, not these people.” | He starts yelling about how Rousseff’s Workers’ Party is “against the family” and wants to legalize abortion. “My children educate me, not these people.” |
He receives polite applause once the bell rings out his time on the floor. | He receives polite applause once the bell rings out his time on the floor. |
Brazil senator currently speaking says Rousseff is "gangrene" & needs to be amputated. | Brazil senator currently speaking says Rousseff is "gangrene" & needs to be amputated. |
Updated | Updated |
at 7.19pm BST | at 7.19pm BST |
7.06pm BST | 7.06pm BST |
19:06 | 19:06 |
Many Brazilians have blamed Rousseff for dragging the economy into the worst recession in decades, and her impeachment hinges on related charges: using government funds to hide signs of trouble. | Many Brazilians have blamed Rousseff for dragging the economy into the worst recession in decades, and her impeachment hinges on related charges: using government funds to hide signs of trouble. |
Senators Lúcia Vânia and Zexe Perella have also brought up the economy: they’re the sixth and seventh senators to speak in favor of impeachment today. | Senators Lúcia Vânia and Zexe Perella have also brought up the economy: they’re the sixth and seventh senators to speak in favor of impeachment today. |
But does the future really look brighter with any of Rousseff’s successors? Brian Winter, vice-president of the American Society/Council of the Americas, writes for Vox that whoever replaces Rousseff has more to do than rectify her mistakes. | But does the future really look brighter with any of Rousseff’s successors? Brian Winter, vice-president of the American Society/Council of the Americas, writes for Vox that whoever replaces Rousseff has more to do than rectify her mistakes. |
Her disastrous handling of the government budget (and ensuing fudging of the numbers, for which she is facing impeachment), her refusal to engage in a new wave of economic reform, and her mismanagement of the corruption scandalat state-run oil company Petrobras have destroyed much of the goodwill and stability that previous governments in Brazil had painstakingly built over the past 20 years. | Her disastrous handling of the government budget (and ensuing fudging of the numbers, for which she is facing impeachment), her refusal to engage in a new wave of economic reform, and her mismanagement of the corruption scandalat state-run oil company Petrobras have destroyed much of the goodwill and stability that previous governments in Brazil had painstakingly built over the past 20 years. |
Vice-president Michel Termer would be “a clear upgrade” on economics, Winter continues. | Vice-president Michel Termer would be “a clear upgrade” on economics, Winter continues. |
Based on his probable picks for finance minister and other key cabinet positions, Temer will be much less likely than Rousseff to meddle in areas of the economy such as interest rates, or the rate of return for investors on infrastructure projects, that are best left to independent regulators or the private sector. | Based on his probable picks for finance minister and other key cabinet positions, Temer will be much less likely than Rousseff to meddle in areas of the economy such as interest rates, or the rate of return for investors on infrastructure projects, that are best left to independent regulators or the private sector. |
Temer may even take on longstanding obstacles to growth such as Brazil’s tax code (which the World Bank has called the world’s most complex) and the gaping hole in its pension system. | Temer may even take on longstanding obstacles to growth such as Brazil’s tax code (which the World Bank has called the world’s most complex) and the gaping hole in its pension system. |
But Temer’s going to have to make unpopular decisions if he wants to improve the economy, Winter argues – and that’s assuming his own legal troubles do not torpedo his administration from the start. | But Temer’s going to have to make unpopular decisions if he wants to improve the economy, Winter argues – and that’s assuming his own legal troubles do not torpedo his administration from the start. |
6.48pm BST | 6.48pm BST |
18:48 | 18:48 |
Six senators have taken turns so far at the Senate podium (of a planned 68 ) to argue for and against impeachment. Most have spoken about the economic crisis – unemployment and inflation are hovering near 10% – and Rousseff’s handling of it. | Six senators have taken turns so far at the Senate podium (of a planned 68 ) to argue for and against impeachment. Most have spoken about the economic crisis – unemployment and inflation are hovering near 10% – and Rousseff’s handling of it. |
Two senators asked to delay the proceedings in Rousseff’s favor before the formal turns at debate began, but they were overruled, and the supreme court later rejected Rousseff’s appeal to halt the vote. | Two senators asked to delay the proceedings in Rousseff’s favor before the formal turns at debate began, but they were overruled, and the supreme court later rejected Rousseff’s appeal to halt the vote. |
All six senators at the podium have argued for impeachment. The most recent brought a chart. | All six senators at the podium have argued for impeachment. The most recent brought a chart. |
Now a senator is showing a bar chart while he gives his remarks. #impeachment pic.twitter.com/EMwaGZKBuJ | Now a senator is showing a bar chart while he gives his remarks. #impeachment pic.twitter.com/EMwaGZKBuJ |
Updated | Updated |
at 6.51pm BST | at 6.51pm BST |
6.32pm BST | 6.32pm BST |
18:32 | 18:32 |
The Senate is back at long last from its extended lunch break, with leader Renan Calheiro chatting idly before starting off the session to impeach the president. | The Senate is back at long last from its extended lunch break, with leader Renan Calheiro chatting idly before starting off the session to impeach the president. |
“We can’t really rush history,” he says, per Folha’s Leandro Colon. | “We can’t really rush history,” he says, per Folha’s Leandro Colon. |
Renan batendo papo com senadores antes de recomeçar sessão pic.twitter.com/Y2yV59uN5a | Renan batendo papo com senadores antes de recomeçar sessão pic.twitter.com/Y2yV59uN5a |
6.14pm BST | 6.14pm BST |
18:14 | 18:14 |
Rousseff ally all but surrenders | Rousseff ally all but surrenders |
Humberto Costa, the leader of the Workers Party in the Senate, has all but admitted defeat for Dilma Rousseff, whose second term seems on the verge of an abrupt early end to the party’s hold of the presidency. | Humberto Costa, the leader of the Workers Party in the Senate, has all but admitted defeat for Dilma Rousseff, whose second term seems on the verge of an abrupt early end to the party’s hold of the presidency. |
“There are no other paths for us but opposition,” he just said in a televised interview. | “There are no other paths for us but opposition,” he just said in a televised interview. |
On his Twitter account, however, he continues to rail against what he sees as a flawed process. “It is a scandal, this process of impeachment,” he wrote in one tweet. “Full of irremediable vices. It is a typical constitutional coup, a civil military uprising.” | On his Twitter account, however, he continues to rail against what he sees as a flawed process. “It is a scandal, this process of impeachment,” he wrote in one tweet. “Full of irremediable vices. It is a typical constitutional coup, a civil military uprising.” |
In another he wrote: “this impeachment process is clear: one side wants democracy, the other a coup.” | In another he wrote: “this impeachment process is clear: one side wants democracy, the other a coup.” |
Esse processo de impeachment é claro: de um lado, nós temos a democracia. Do outro, o golpe. pic.twitter.com/0NZgMsIQUa | Esse processo de impeachment é claro: de um lado, nós temos a democracia. Do outro, o golpe. pic.twitter.com/0NZgMsIQUa |