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| Version 8 | Version 9 |
|---|---|
| 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) | |
| 6.14pm BST | |
| 18:14 | |
| 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. | |
| “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.” | |
| 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 | |
| 6.05pm BST | |
| 18:05 | |
| Rousseff will address Brazil after the Senate votes on her impeachment, perhaps reading the signs so far as a near certainty that Congress will put her on trial. | |
| Dilma to address the nation after vote https://t.co/UEw4SC0Tz7 | |
| “With the confirmed exist of Dilma, the balance will be in 52 years only four presidents will have been directly elected,” Folha reporter Fabiano Misonnave tweets. “Of those half suffered impeachment.” | |
| Confirmada a saída da #Dilma, o balanço será este: em 52 anos, apenas 4 presidentes eleitos diretamente. Desses, metade sofreu #impeachment | |
| 5.58pm BST | |
| 17:58 | |
| The senators take their time. | |
| Senate taking an extended lunch break here. No rush. Nothing big on the agenda. Only impeaching the president... | |
| People wait in the shade for Senate vote in 84°F Brasília. pic.twitter.com/vG7c2UpMIl | |
| 5.20pm BST | 5.20pm BST |
| 17:20 | 17:20 |
| What would follow impeachment? | What would follow impeachment? |
| Jonathan Watts | Jonathan Watts |
| With few senators standing up for Rousseff so far – though we are only five speakers into a supposed 68 planned – impeachment and suspension are looking more and more likely. At the Senate in Brasilia my colleague Jon Watts runs through the possibilities of what would happen next. | With few senators standing up for Rousseff so far – though we are only five speakers into a supposed 68 planned – impeachment and suspension are looking more and more likely. At the Senate in Brasilia my colleague Jon Watts runs through the possibilities of what would happen next. |
| If the suspension of Rousseff goes ahead, the presidential line of succession will have been decimated in the past week, with possibly more to come. | If the suspension of Rousseff goes ahead, the presidential line of succession will have been decimated in the past week, with possibly more to come. |
| Normally, this is how it looks: | Normally, this is how it looks: |
| But here’s the situation today: | But here’s the situation today: |
| In conclusion: two of the five are likely to be suspended by tomorrow, another two are under investigation, and the final potential successor is an unelected judge who is about to be replaced. I’d guess the odds on Lucia, who is not even in the frame right now, becoming president by the end of the year might be shorter than those last August for Leicester winning the Premiership. | In conclusion: two of the five are likely to be suspended by tomorrow, another two are under investigation, and the final potential successor is an unelected judge who is about to be replaced. I’d guess the odds on Lucia, who is not even in the frame right now, becoming president by the end of the year might be shorter than those last August for Leicester winning the Premiership. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 5.26pm BST | at 5.26pm BST |
| 4.59pm BST | 4.59pm BST |
| 16:59 | 16:59 |
| Supreme court rejects Rousseff appeal | Supreme court rejects Rousseff appeal |
| Brazil’s supreme court has rejected her last minute appeal to stop the impeachment vote. The president’s senatorial allies had argued this morning that the Senate should at least wait until the supreme court had ruled on the appeal, which was likely Rousseff’s last opportunity to prevent an ouster. | Brazil’s supreme court has rejected her last minute appeal to stop the impeachment vote. The president’s senatorial allies had argued this morning that the Senate should at least wait until the supreme court had ruled on the appeal, which was likely Rousseff’s last opportunity to prevent an ouster. |
| Brazilian Supreme Court rejects government request to annul impeachment. Escape routes closing for Dilma. | Brazilian Supreme Court rejects government request to annul impeachment. Escape routes closing for Dilma. |
| Teori Zavascki impede anulação do processo de impeachment de Dilma. Entenda e leia a íntegra https://t.co/FGblDo4Czl pic.twitter.com/KWFtHDXpXD | Teori Zavascki impede anulação do processo de impeachment de Dilma. Entenda e leia a íntegra https://t.co/FGblDo4Czl pic.twitter.com/KWFtHDXpXD |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 5.21pm BST | at 5.21pm BST |
| 4.35pm BST | 4.35pm BST |
| 16:35 | 16:35 |
| Senator Ataides Oliveira, the last speaker before the Senate ended its first session, harkened back to the antics of the House of Deputies when it was his turn at the podium. He called for impeachment with arms waving, fists clenched and exhortations shouted to oust Rousseff from office. | Senator Ataides Oliveira, the last speaker before the Senate ended its first session, harkened back to the antics of the House of Deputies when it was his turn at the podium. He called for impeachment with arms waving, fists clenched and exhortations shouted to oust Rousseff from office. |
| This senator just busted into an actual operatic ~vibrato~ while denouncing Dilma Rousseff pic.twitter.com/jc9ZHTragb | This senator just busted into an actual operatic ~vibrato~ while denouncing Dilma Rousseff pic.twitter.com/jc9ZHTragb |
| 4.01pm BST | 4.01pm BST |
| 16:01 | 16:01 |
| Jonathan Watts | Jonathan Watts |
| Compared to the rambunctious, overwhelming vote to impeach Dilma Rousseff in the House last month, the mood is considerably more sombre in the Senate, my colleague Jon Watts reports from the floor of the chamber. | Compared to the rambunctious, overwhelming vote to impeach Dilma Rousseff in the House last month, the mood is considerably more sombre in the Senate, my colleague Jon Watts reports from the floor of the chamber. |
| “All the people here are broken hearted. We don’t want this, but it is unavaoidable. Brazil has come to a stop since last year,” claimed Senator Marcelo Crivella, who, outside of standing for the Brazilian Republican Party is also a gospel singer and bishop of the evangelical Universal Church of the Kingdom of God. | “All the people here are broken hearted. We don’t want this, but it is unavaoidable. Brazil has come to a stop since last year,” claimed Senator Marcelo Crivella, who, outside of standing for the Brazilian Republican Party is also a gospel singer and bishop of the evangelical Universal Church of the Kingdom of God. |
| “We all recognise that [Rousseff] has done a good job during her life for the democracy of Brazil.” | “We all recognise that [Rousseff] has done a good job during her life for the democracy of Brazil.” |
| Despite these respectful words, Crivella, who was once allied with her Workers Party government, said that he would vote for impeaching the president because the country is mired in crisis and needs a change of economic policy. | Despite these respectful words, Crivella, who was once allied with her Workers Party government, said that he would vote for impeaching the president because the country is mired in crisis and needs a change of economic policy. |
| On the opposite side of the debate is Venessa Grazziotin, a senator from the Communist Party who is opposed to the suspension of the president. | On the opposite side of the debate is Venessa Grazziotin, a senator from the Communist Party who is opposed to the suspension of the president. |
| “This is the saddest day in the history of our young democracy,” she told the Guardian. “This isn’t a valid constitutional process, it is a coup that goes against the opinion of the majority in the 2014 election.” | “This is the saddest day in the history of our young democracy,” she told the Guardian. “This isn’t a valid constitutional process, it is a coup that goes against the opinion of the majority in the 2014 election.” |
| She had no hope that Rousseff might escape suspension, but the senator said the battle was not over. She hopes that in the coming months, Brazilians will realise they have been robbed of their rights by removing the president. “If they suspend her today, I’ll go to the streets to demand new elections,” Grazziotin said. | She had no hope that Rousseff might escape suspension, but the senator said the battle was not over. She hopes that in the coming months, Brazilians will realise they have been robbed of their rights by removing the president. “If they suspend her today, I’ll go to the streets to demand new elections,” Grazziotin said. |
| The views of just two senators are obviously not representative of the entire chamber, but there does seem to be an effort to treat the moment with gravitas. That is partly what you would expect from the upper house – but it may also be because the boisterous and bizarre scenes of last month’s House vote, which saw deputies behaving in a way that shamed many Brazilians and led to deeply critical coverage overseas. | The views of just two senators are obviously not representative of the entire chamber, but there does seem to be an effort to treat the moment with gravitas. That is partly what you would expect from the upper house – but it may also be because the boisterous and bizarre scenes of last month’s House vote, which saw deputies behaving in a way that shamed many Brazilians and led to deeply critical coverage overseas. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 4.12pm BST | at 4.12pm BST |
| 3.50pm BST | 3.50pm BST |
| 15:50 | 15:50 |
| Watchdog group Aos Fatos notes that 14 lawmakers are under investigation for corruption and graft in the Petrobras scandal, in which the state-run oil giant, businesses and lawmakers are accused of passing around $2bn worth of bribes for contracts. | Watchdog group Aos Fatos notes that 14 lawmakers are under investigation for corruption and graft in the Petrobras scandal, in which the state-run oil giant, businesses and lawmakers are accused of passing around $2bn worth of bribes for contracts. |
| Journalist Rachel Glickhouse translates the linked tweet. | Journalist Rachel Glickhouse translates the linked tweet. |
| Brazil's Senate: 14 legislators under investigation as part of Petrobras scandal; half plan to vote for impeachment. https://t.co/EOtnnXn0Je | Brazil's Senate: 14 legislators under investigation as part of Petrobras scandal; half plan to vote for impeachment. https://t.co/EOtnnXn0Je |
| 3.45pm BST | 3.45pm BST |
| 15:45 | 15:45 |
| Senator Ana Amélia Lemos has invoked Pope Francis in her time on the floor, quoting him: “I hope that Brazil will follow the path of harmony and peace.” Then she pulls out a copy of the Brazilian constitution as a prop. | Senator Ana Amélia Lemos has invoked Pope Francis in her time on the floor, quoting him: “I hope that Brazil will follow the path of harmony and peace.” Then she pulls out a copy of the Brazilian constitution as a prop. |
| Lemos supports impeachment, and has fought back adamantly against critics and Rousseff supporters who say impeachment is a “coup”. | Lemos supports impeachment, and has fought back adamantly against critics and Rousseff supporters who say impeachment is a “coup”. |
| .@anaamelialemos cita declaração de hj do papa Francisco: "Desejo que o Brasil siga pelo caminho da harmonia e da paz". | .@anaamelialemos cita declaração de hj do papa Francisco: "Desejo que o Brasil siga pelo caminho da harmonia e da paz". |
| 3.28pm BST | 3.28pm BST |
| 15:28 | 15:28 |
| While Brazilian newspapers have found that around 50 senators plan to vote for a trial, it’s not clear that Dilma Rousseff’s enemies have enough votes to bar her from office, the AP reports. | While Brazilian newspapers have found that around 50 senators plan to vote for a trial, it’s not clear that Dilma Rousseff’s enemies have enough votes to bar her from office, the AP reports. |
| A survey by Folha of Sao Paulo suggests there are only 41 senators willing to remove her permanently, 13 fewer than needed. The House voted 367-137 last month in favor of impeachment. | A survey by Folha of Sao Paulo suggests there are only 41 senators willing to remove her permanently, 13 fewer than needed. The House voted 367-137 last month in favor of impeachment. |
| “Dilma will be impeached for a variety of reasons,” said Marcos Troyjo, a professor at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs. “And the possibility of her coming back is zero.” | “Dilma will be impeached for a variety of reasons,” said Marcos Troyjo, a professor at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs. “And the possibility of her coming back is zero.” |
| Rousseff herself hasn’t been implicated in the graft and corruption scandals that have swept up many members of her party – and of former president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s administration. Rousseff was Lula’s chief of staff and minister of energy – someone who should have known about the bribes and corruption that had taken hold of Brazil’s state-run oil giant, Petrobras. | Rousseff herself hasn’t been implicated in the graft and corruption scandals that have swept up many members of her party – and of former president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s administration. Rousseff was Lula’s chief of staff and minister of energy – someone who should have known about the bribes and corruption that had taken hold of Brazil’s state-run oil giant, Petrobras. |
| “The people involved abused and took advantage of the opportunity to steal money in an absurd way,” said Tiago Gomes da Silva, a 33-year-old standing in line at an unemployment office in Rio de Janeiro. “This had to come to an end. And the actual government is directly linked to this.” | “The people involved abused and took advantage of the opportunity to steal money in an absurd way,” said Tiago Gomes da Silva, a 33-year-old standing in line at an unemployment office in Rio de Janeiro. “This had to come to an end. And the actual government is directly linked to this.” |
| Brazil’s economy has also staggered into its worst recession in decades, in large part due to the plummeting prices of commodities and petroleum over the last few years. Inflation and unemployment are hovering around 10%, and in her second term Rousseff has enjoyed none of the oil and mining boom that so profited Lula at the polls. From the AP: | Brazil’s economy has also staggered into its worst recession in decades, in large part due to the plummeting prices of commodities and petroleum over the last few years. Inflation and unemployment are hovering around 10%, and in her second term Rousseff has enjoyed none of the oil and mining boom that so profited Lula at the polls. From the AP: |
| “The problem in Brazil was the inflation,” Carlos Antonio Porto Goncalves, economics professor at the Getulio Vargas Foundation, said of Rousseff’s first years as president. “And the government, to fight inflation, raised interest rates to extremely high levels so demand decreased, and the recession came.” | “The problem in Brazil was the inflation,” Carlos Antonio Porto Goncalves, economics professor at the Getulio Vargas Foundation, said of Rousseff’s first years as president. “And the government, to fight inflation, raised interest rates to extremely high levels so demand decreased, and the recession came.” |
| With all of this is a growing perception that Rousseff doesn’t have the casual charisma of many senators, which has divided many Brazilians into camps that see her as more honest than her peers or too unwilling to make deals. | With all of this is a growing perception that Rousseff doesn’t have the casual charisma of many senators, which has divided many Brazilians into camps that see her as more honest than her peers or too unwilling to make deals. |
| “She is a woman with a knife in her boot,” said Alexandre Barros, a political consultant in Brasilia, using a popular phrase in Portuguese to describe tough women. “But she is not a politician.” | “She is a woman with a knife in her boot,” said Alexandre Barros, a political consultant in Brasilia, using a popular phrase in Portuguese to describe tough women. “But she is not a politician.” |
| 3.07pm BST | 3.07pm BST |
| 15:07 | 15:07 |
| A protester has shown up at Congress wearing a word that needs no translation. He points out that vice-president Michel Temer has also been found to have broken the law. | A protester has shown up at Congress wearing a word that needs no translation. He points out that vice-president Michel Temer has also been found to have broken the law. |
| Impeach the lot of them, he says. Temer could very well have an abbreviated term – as could other lawmakers accused of corruption, taking bribes and other crimes. | Impeach the lot of them, he says. Temer could very well have an abbreviated term – as could other lawmakers accused of corruption, taking bribes and other crimes. |
| First protesters arrive in front of Congress. This man thinks that Temer (VP) should also face an impeachment trial. pic.twitter.com/4jSvQTrfCv | First protesters arrive in front of Congress. This man thinks that Temer (VP) should also face an impeachment trial. pic.twitter.com/4jSvQTrfCv |
| Rousseff has her supporters too, though. My colleague Ana Terra Athayde meets one outside Congress. | Rousseff has her supporters too, though. My colleague Ana Terra Athayde meets one outside Congress. |
| "The poorest will suffer the most" in case there's a change in government, says this pro-Dilma protester pic.twitter.com/QQgInJcefU | "The poorest will suffer the most" in case there's a change in government, says this pro-Dilma protester pic.twitter.com/QQgInJcefU |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.09pm BST | at 3.09pm BST |