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| Brazil president Dilma Rousseff set to be impeached in senate vote | Brazil president Dilma Rousseff set to be impeached in senate vote |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Less than halfway through her elected mandate, Dilma Rousseff appears set to be stripped of her presidential duties for at least six months after a majority of senators said they would vote on Thursday to impeach her and put her on trial. | |
| After what one politician called the “saddest night for Brazil’s young democracy”, 41 of the 81 senators declared in a late-running impeachment debate that they would vote to suspend the Workers’ party leader, putting economic problems, political paralysis and alleged fiscal irregularities ahead of the 54 million votes that put her in office. | After what one politician called the “saddest night for Brazil’s young democracy”, 41 of the 81 senators declared in a late-running impeachment debate that they would vote to suspend the Workers’ party leader, putting economic problems, political paralysis and alleged fiscal irregularities ahead of the 54 million votes that put her in office. |
| A formal vote is expected in the next few hours. | A formal vote is expected in the next few hours. |
| Related: A warrior to the end: Dilma Rousseff a sinner and saint in impeachment fight | Related: A warrior to the end: Dilma Rousseff a sinner and saint in impeachment fight |
| If all the senators vote as they have indicated, Rousseff, Brazil’s first female president, will have to step aside for at least six months while she is tried in the upper house for allegedly manipulating government accounts ahead of the previous election. Her judges will be senators, many of whom are accused of more serious crimes. | If all the senators vote as they have indicated, Rousseff, Brazil’s first female president, will have to step aside for at least six months while she is tried in the upper house for allegedly manipulating government accounts ahead of the previous election. Her judges will be senators, many of whom are accused of more serious crimes. |
| The decision will be more political than legal. After Rousseff came to power in 2010, she initially enjoyed some of the highest ratings of any leader in the world. But her popularity has slumped along with the economy, now in its deepest recession for decades. | The decision will be more political than legal. After Rousseff came to power in 2010, she initially enjoyed some of the highest ratings of any leader in the world. But her popularity has slumped along with the economy, now in its deepest recession for decades. |
| Adding to her woes have been a fractious parliament and a massive corruption scandal at the state-run oil firm, Petrobras, that has implicated politicians across the spectrum, including many close aides and the former president Luiz Ináçio Lula da Silva. | Adding to her woes have been a fractious parliament and a massive corruption scandal at the state-run oil firm, Petrobras, that has implicated politicians across the spectrum, including many close aides and the former president Luiz Ináçio Lula da Silva. |
| With the Olympic spotlight now about to shine on Brazil – and the Zika virus health crisis far from over - the country is fraught with problems. Many blame the Workers’ party, which has been in power for 13 years. Rousseff’s approval ratings are now around 10%; close to 60% of voters support impeachment. | With the Olympic spotlight now about to shine on Brazil – and the Zika virus health crisis far from over - the country is fraught with problems. Many blame the Workers’ party, which has been in power for 13 years. Rousseff’s approval ratings are now around 10%; close to 60% of voters support impeachment. |
| But many are uncomfortable about how it is being done. Even many opponents acknowledge the president is one of the least corrupt politicians in Brazil. | But many are uncomfortable about how it is being done. Even many opponents acknowledge the president is one of the least corrupt politicians in Brazil. |
| On their way to the impeachment debate, senators walked through the long concrete corridors of the parliament building, which are decorated with timelines of epic moments in the history of the chamber: the abolition of slavery in 1888 (the last major country in the world to do so), the creation of the First and Second Republics of 1889-1930 and 1946-1964 (both of which ended in military coups), the return of democracy in 1988 and subsequent steps to improve the rights of workers, women and minorities. | On their way to the impeachment debate, senators walked through the long concrete corridors of the parliament building, which are decorated with timelines of epic moments in the history of the chamber: the abolition of slavery in 1888 (the last major country in the world to do so), the creation of the First and Second Republics of 1889-1930 and 1946-1964 (both of which ended in military coups), the return of democracy in 1988 and subsequent steps to improve the rights of workers, women and minorities. |
| Few taking part would claim what appears to be set to be the impeachment of the country’s first woman president will be remembered with pride. | Few taking part would claim what appears to be set to be the impeachment of the country’s first woman president will be remembered with pride. |
| Unlike the triumphantly ugly scenes during the lower house vote which invited scorn around the world, most of the senators struck a sombre tone. There was no repeat – at least in the early sessions – of the cheering and singing. Instead, many claimed to be sad and said they were only reluctantly approving the suspension of the elected head of state because the economy was in crisis and politics were in turmoil. | Unlike the triumphantly ugly scenes during the lower house vote which invited scorn around the world, most of the senators struck a sombre tone. There was no repeat – at least in the early sessions – of the cheering and singing. Instead, many claimed to be sad and said they were only reluctantly approving the suspension of the elected head of state because the economy was in crisis and politics were in turmoil. |
| All the people here are broken hearted. We don’t want this, but it is unavoidable | All the people here are broken hearted. We don’t want this, but it is unavoidable |
| “All the people here are broken hearted. We don’t want this, but it is unavoidable. Brazil has come to a stop since last year,” claimed Marcelo Crivella, who, as well as being a senator for the Brazilian Republican party, is a gospel singer and a bishop of the evangelical Universal Church of the Kingdom of God. “We all recognise that [Dilma] has done a good job during her life for the democracy of Brazil.” | “All the people here are broken hearted. We don’t want this, but it is unavoidable. Brazil has come to a stop since last year,” claimed Marcelo Crivella, who, as well as being a senator for the Brazilian Republican party, is a gospel singer and a bishop of the evangelical Universal Church of the Kingdom of God. “We all recognise that [Dilma] has done a good job during her life for the democracy of Brazil.” |
| Despite these respectful words, Crivella – who was once allied with the Workers Party government – said that he would vote for the impeachment of the president because the country is mired in crisis and needs a change of economic policy. Others cited problems of corruption, which have led to the arrests of dozens of politicians across the political spectrum. | Despite these respectful words, Crivella – who was once allied with the Workers Party government – said that he would vote for the impeachment of the president because the country is mired in crisis and needs a change of economic policy. Others cited problems of corruption, which have led to the arrests of dozens of politicians across the political spectrum. |
| Romário, the former striker for the national football team, looked somewhat ill at ease as he declared his vote for impeachment. “I know some will disagree,” he said. “But I have concluded there is sufficient evidence to admit the process.” He warned however that removing the president would not work like a magic wand to lift Brazil out of the mire. | Romário, the former striker for the national football team, looked somewhat ill at ease as he declared his vote for impeachment. “I know some will disagree,” he said. “But I have concluded there is sufficient evidence to admit the process.” He warned however that removing the president would not work like a magic wand to lift Brazil out of the mire. |
| For the Workers’ party and its supporters, however, this was a day of shame for Brazil’s political class. While many acknowledge the shortcomings of a president who never appeared comfortable dealing with Congress or communicating with the nation, they claim Rousseff is the victim of a “coup” by the old elite who were unable to accept the result of the last election and deliberately caused instability to grab power . | For the Workers’ party and its supporters, however, this was a day of shame for Brazil’s political class. While many acknowledge the shortcomings of a president who never appeared comfortable dealing with Congress or communicating with the nation, they claim Rousseff is the victim of a “coup” by the old elite who were unable to accept the result of the last election and deliberately caused instability to grab power . |
| Related: Brazil's anti-corruption prosecutor: graft is 'endemic. It has spread like cancer' | Related: Brazil's anti-corruption prosecutor: graft is 'endemic. It has spread like cancer' |
| “This is the saddest day in the history of our young democracy,” said Vanessa Grazziotin, a senator from the Communist Party of Brazil. “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,” said Vanessa Grazziotin, a senator from the Communist Party of Brazil. “This isn’t a valid Constitutional process, it is a coup that goes against the opinion of the majority in the 2014 election.” |
| However, the senator said the battle was not over because there was still time over the coming months for the population to realise they were 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. | However, the senator said the battle was not over because there was still time over the coming months for the population to realise they were 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. |
| 70% of Brazilians support holding new elections – an even bigger majority than those who favoured impeachment – but that has been ruled out by vice-president Michel Temer, who has now maneuvered to replace his running mate. He has spent the past few weeks canvassing candidates for the centre-right administration he will is now expected to form. Advance lists of ministerial posts in the domestic media suggest his first Cabinet will be entirely male and overwhelmingly white. | 70% of Brazilians support holding new elections – an even bigger majority than those who favoured impeachment – but that has been ruled out by vice-president Michel Temer, who has now maneuvered to replace his running mate. He has spent the past few weeks canvassing candidates for the centre-right administration he will is now expected to form. Advance lists of ministerial posts in the domestic media suggest his first Cabinet will be entirely male and overwhelmingly white. |
| It is unlikely to be more popular – nor any less tainted by corruption. Temer’s ratings are almost as low as those of the outgoing president. According to the most recent opinion survey by Ipsos, he has a rejection rate of 62%. Fewer than one in seven support him. He too faces an impeachment process, though his support in parliament makes it unlikely he will succumb. And he too has been implicated in two plea bargains in the ongoing Lava Jato investigation into the kick-back and bribery scandal at the state-run oil firm Petrobras. Several members of his proposed Cabinet also face charges by prosecutors. | It is unlikely to be more popular – nor any less tainted by corruption. Temer’s ratings are almost as low as those of the outgoing president. According to the most recent opinion survey by Ipsos, he has a rejection rate of 62%. Fewer than one in seven support him. He too faces an impeachment process, though his support in parliament makes it unlikely he will succumb. And he too has been implicated in two plea bargains in the ongoing Lava Jato investigation into the kick-back and bribery scandal at the state-run oil firm Petrobras. Several members of his proposed Cabinet also face charges by prosecutors. |
| Senator after senator repeated the phrase that “nobody is above the law”, yet many are living proof that this has long been untrue in Brazilian politics. As in the lower house many of the politicians who voted for Rousseff to be stripped of her post for fiscal irregularities are themselves accused of far greater crimes. 33 of the 81 senators have either been charged or are under investigation by prosecutors. Some have been found guilty by the supreme court, such as Ivo Cassol, a senator from Rondonia, who is fighting a five-year prison sentence for fraud and has been fined for illegal deforestation of the Amazon. | Senator after senator repeated the phrase that “nobody is above the law”, yet many are living proof that this has long been untrue in Brazilian politics. As in the lower house many of the politicians who voted for Rousseff to be stripped of her post for fiscal irregularities are themselves accused of far greater crimes. 33 of the 81 senators have either been charged or are under investigation by prosecutors. Some have been found guilty by the supreme court, such as Ivo Cassol, a senator from Rondonia, who is fighting a five-year prison sentence for fraud and has been fined for illegal deforestation of the Amazon. |
| Senators repeated the phrase that 'nobody is above the law', yet many are living proof that this has long been untrue | Senators repeated the phrase that 'nobody is above the law', yet many are living proof that this has long been untrue |
| Among those voting on impeachment is Fernando Collor, who was the last president to be impeached in 1992, and is now implicated in the Lava Jato case. | Among those voting on impeachment is Fernando Collor, who was the last president to be impeached in 1992, and is now implicated in the Lava Jato case. |
| The implications for Brazil’s democracy are, at best, mixed. Of the four directly elected presidents since the end of the military dictatorship in 1985, two have now been impeached. | The implications for Brazil’s democracy are, at best, mixed. Of the four directly elected presidents since the end of the military dictatorship in 1985, two have now been impeached. |
| The upper echelons of the political class are also deeply tainted by scandal and scheming. Four of the five top figures in the nation are now either suspended or under investigation by prosecutors. | The upper echelons of the political class are also deeply tainted by scandal and scheming. Four of the five top figures in the nation are now either suspended or under investigation by prosecutors. |
| The third in line to the presidency – house speaker Eduardo Cunha – was suspended from his post by the supreme court for obstructing justice. Prosecutors in the Lava Jato investigation have also accused Cunha of receiving at least $5m in bribes and hiding the money in secret Swiss bank accounts. Fourth in line, Renan Calheiros, the leader of the senate who oversaw today’s impeachment vote, is the subject of 11 criminal probes, nine of which are related to Lava Jato. | The third in line to the presidency – house speaker Eduardo Cunha – was suspended from his post by the supreme court for obstructing justice. Prosecutors in the Lava Jato investigation have also accused Cunha of receiving at least $5m in bribes and hiding the money in secret Swiss bank accounts. Fourth in line, Renan Calheiros, the leader of the senate who oversaw today’s impeachment vote, is the subject of 11 criminal probes, nine of which are related to Lava Jato. |
| Rousseff is now suspended. She could yet come back, but the chances are slim now that Temer controls the budget and more than 10,000 government appointments. | Rousseff is now suspended. She could yet come back, but the chances are slim now that Temer controls the budget and more than 10,000 government appointments. |
| There is little ceremony for the handover of power. The senate will send an emissary with an intimação or official notification of the result and its consequences to president Rousseff, who will keep her title and residence, but lose her authority and be obliged to leave the Planalto presidential office. The same emissary will then deliver a notificação to Michel Temer that he must assume the duties of the head of state. | There is little ceremony for the handover of power. The senate will send an emissary with an intimação or official notification of the result and its consequences to president Rousseff, who will keep her title and residence, but lose her authority and be obliged to leave the Planalto presidential office. The same emissary will then deliver a notificação to Michel Temer that he must assume the duties of the head of state. |
| Vicentinho Alves, the senator who will serve the role of emissary, said he will carry out his duties respectfully. | Vicentinho Alves, the senator who will serve the role of emissary, said he will carry out his duties respectfully. |
| “I see Dilma as a upright and honest person who lacked the ability to govern in this situation,” he said. “In democracy, as I see it, a leader needs to have the support of the streets, which the president currently lacks. If that it gone, then you need the support of the national Congress. But that is also gone. When you lose both those elements, you lose the capacity to govern.” | “I see Dilma as a upright and honest person who lacked the ability to govern in this situation,” he said. “In democracy, as I see it, a leader needs to have the support of the streets, which the president currently lacks. If that it gone, then you need the support of the national Congress. But that is also gone. When you lose both those elements, you lose the capacity to govern.” |