Leaders of Rousseff's Impeachment Fall Soon After Her

05/24/2016 - 10h54

Michel Temer discovered on Sunday (22) night that Sérgio Machado, an old hand in Brazilian politics, had recorded a conversation held with Planning Minister Romero Jucá (PMDB-RR).

The leaked audio has caused mutterings in political circles as to what the implications will be for Temer's government. However, harmless speculations aside, one clear verdict has been made: it is impossible to keep Jucá in office.

Jucá's inevitable fall from grace means that the two pillars of the impeachment process against Dilma Rousseff are both officially beginning to crumble. The main advocates for the impeachment of the suspended President now look as vulnerable as Dilma herself, just 36 days after Eduardo Cunha (PMDB-RR) pushed the bill through the lower house.

If Cunha was the man responsible for sending Dilma to the wolves, calling for her suspension in the first instance, it was Jucá who worked behind the scenes manipulating the vote against the Worker's Party member.

He also orchestrated the breakdown of the coalition between the Worker's Party and the Brazilian Democratic Movement Party, before taking over the latter and strongly influencing other parties to back the new President.

Cunha was not even able to participate in Temer's inauguration. He was suspended from office one week prior to the event by the Supreme Court.

Jucá, however, did not only attend the ceremony but was rewarded for his loyalty with a Ministry position and a key role in the new government. He was in power for just 12 days.

There has been much speculation about the impact Operation Lava Jato could have for Temer and his government. Jucá's involvement will do nothing to mitigate fears the investigations may cause serious damage.

Cunha watched Jucá's downfall from afar. To a close source he revealed his opinion that Temer "might soon be facing defeat" if he paid too much attention to "popular opinion".

"Sooner or later there will be cries of 'Temer Out'", he portended.

Translated by GILLIAN SOPHIE HARRIS

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	Pedro Ladeira/Folhapress
	Eduardo Cunha (PMDB-RJ) and Romero Jucá (PMDB-RR)