Brazilian Political Crisis For Dummies

Brazil is not for beginners, said popular wisdom...

Brazil is currently facing one of the largest institutional crisis in its history. You know, right? If you don't know anything about it or is kinda lost with all the current developments, take a seat and let me tell you everything about it...

Via obviousmag.org

Prologue: Dilma Rousseff is gone

Exame/Ueslei Marcelino / Reuters / Via descomplica.com.br

Dilma Rousseff's term came to an end with a "sort of questionable" impeachment process. Some people say that there was a valid reason to impeach her, others say that there was a "white coup", but the facts were: she was removed from office and someone had to lead the country somehow. The next in line was the former vice-president and then acting president, a guy named Michel Temer.

Part I: Temer rises

Via pragmatismopolitico.com.br

Michel Temer, a lawyer-turned-politician became President of Brazil with some mistrust, mostly because of his passive stance while his former running mate was being scrutinized by the Brazilian society and political class. He quickly adopted a conciliatory speech, preaching the country to side with him and unite to thrive during those very difficult days of economic recession and political turmoil. He also started to negotiate some political alliances and to draft some controversial reforms.

Part II: Stirring up the crowds

Ueslei Marcelino / Reuters / Via colmeia.am.br

See, the main thing when you are someone's VP is that people expect you to carry on your predecessor's agenda or at least show some respect to it. Temer unsettled many people when he started to drastically meddle with things without discussing them with the main society in general, usually using the excuse of the "urgent need to get the country back on track". So, things got a bit off the rails when he decided to change the whole high school system and derailed completely when he messed with social security and tried to change labor laws. Boosted by those actions and an almost daily dose of corruption scandals in his cabinet, the #ForaTemer movement gained some momentum and even some of his political allies started to question themselves whether they were being the good guys here.

Part III: Welcome to your tape, Michel

Twitter / Via Twitter: @joaobandeira11

Despite all the warnings, Temer kept going and worked almost non-stop trying to secure a majority in both houses to pass most of his agenda and make a name for himself as the commander-in-chief of a very messed up nation, confused by economical, political and social crisis. But on May 17th, everything changed: a leaked tape containing lots of "political napalm" shook Brasilia to its core and went straight through his heart.

Part IV: An atomic bomb named Joesley

Jonne Roriz/Estadão / Via politica.estadao.com.br

In the middle of the "Operação Lava-Jato" (a huge investigation regarding government corruption in all spheres of power), a very proeminent businessman named Joesley Batista delivered tapes to the Federal Police and the Supreme Court containing some compromising dialogues with many proeminent politicians (including President Temer himself) in order to score a plea deal. He detailed a very elaborate scheme of lobbying where he sponsored the campaign of more than 1,800 candidates across 19 parties, spending almost US$ 150 million on them. Plus, he revealed a very interesting dialogue with Temer that happened after he had established himself as the very sole owner of the chair of President of Brazil. Those dialogues basically showed that Temer had knowledge of a bribery scheme and that Joesley was buying judges for personal gain. Needless to say, Temer instantly went from "unpopular" to "unwanted".

Part V: I WON'T RESIGN!

Jorge William /Agência O Globo / Via oglobo.globo.com

Temer quickly felt the effects of the tape. The Supreme Court of Brazil almost instantly decided to install an enquire to see if the accusations were true, many allies turned instant enemies or entered into "damage control" mode and many people went to the streets to ask for his head on a silver plate. But when communication veichles said that his resignation was almost certain and many government sources also thought it was the end of the line of Temer administration, he gathered the journalists and said that he would prove his innocence and that he wouldn't resign because he had done nothing wrong.

So, basically now we are awaiting for the next chapters of the very messed up political life of Brazil. Stay tuned for more...