Crisis Faced by Temer Administration Weakens Impeachment

06/02/2016 - 10h31

The turbulence faced by the administration of interim President Michel Temer (PMDB) is weakening the support of senators who are in favor of the impeachment of President Dilma Rousseff, who was suspended from office.

In the current scenario, whose outcome is considered unpredictable by congressmen, the expectations of a new election is growing and a signal by Rousseff that she intends to call new elections could help undecided senators make up their minds and choose to restore her back to office.

"Rousseff's return to power frightens everyone, because it is reckless and irresponsible," says Senator Cristovam Buarque (PPS-DF), who approved the opening of the impeachment process but has not declared his final position yet.

Senator Acir Gurgacz (PDT-RO), who voted in favor of the impeachment, now says he is reconsidering his position – he also says that the crisis of the Temer administration "will influence not only my opinion, but also that of most senators."

If the interim administration continues to make mistakes, the majority of senators in favor of the admissibility of the impeachment could "nearly invert," says Gurgacz.

In 21 days, two ministers have fallen and the Temer administration has faced an avalanche of criticism due to the lack of diversity among its top members and the several denials Temer has been forced to issue. Even those who continue to defend Rousseff's ousting admit there may be trouble ahead, given the small margin in the Senate.

Senator Alvaro Dias (PV-PR) declared that he will vote for Rousseff's removal from office but recognizes that "some senators may have felt unsure, but not undecided. The turbulence [in the Temer administration] will have huge consequences."

The president of the PSB, Carlos Siqueira, downplayed the impact of Temer's problems. "We are living in a quicksand atmosphere, nobody is completely sure about anything. We support Temer and hope that he has enough strength."

Translated by THOMAS MUELLO

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