President Michel Temer Complains to Allies that he is Feeling Pressured

03/29/2017 - 14h19

In the midst of expectations regarding the end of confidentiality for plea bargain agreements and the judgment of the case against the 2014 Presidential ticket at the Federal Superior Electoral Tribunal (TSE), President Michel Temer made some off-the-cuff remarks on Tuesday (28) at a meeting with members of his support base at the Presidential Palace.

He said that he is under pressure regarding governmental decisions and defined himself as a President who is "neither popular, nor a populist".

According to the latest poll results from Datafolha released in December, only 10% of those interviewed consider the PDMB Party leader's management of the federal government to be good or excellent.

According to reports from those present, the President emphasized that even though he is aware that he doesn't have the approval or support of the majority of Brazilians, he doesn't plan to follow the path of populism and wants to be remembered as a president who made structural reforms, like those in the Social Security and labor law areas.

During the meeting, according to congressmen who were present, the PMDB Party leader pointed out that he has adopted a routine of long daily working hours.

He said that he gets up very early and works until late so he can double the amount of time that he has available during the short term that he was given after taking over after the impeachment of PT Party Leader Dilma Rousseff.

Temer's meeting with congressmen had been scheduled to discuss the wording of the Social Security Reform document that is making its way through a special commission of the House of Representatives.

Translated by LLOYD HARDER

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