Brazilian lawmakers decide whether to put Temer on trial

Brazil’s lower house is scheduled to vote on whether to put President Michel Temer on trial for corruption today. If lawmakers back the move and the Supreme Court convicts Temer, he could become the second Brazilian president to be impeached in a year.

Last month, Temer was charged with accepting bribes from a meatpacker in return for political favours, allegations he strenuously denies. The charges are part of a sweeping corruption scandal that has seen 150 people convicted of graft-related crimes in the past three years.

Wednesday’s vote will only take place if two-thirds of the 513-member Chamber of Deputies take their seats; ironically, the president will be hoping they do. He’s believed to have secured the 172 votes needed to avoid court after promising some $1.3 billion in spending for supporters’ home districts.

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While Temer is expected to survive tomorrow’s vote, there are more charges being brought against him, opening the door to a protracted crisis. Little respite for scandal-weary Brazilians.

Simon Papagiorcopulo

Simon is the founder of Foreign Brief who served as managing director from 2015 to 2021. A lawyer by training, Simon has worked as an analyst and adviser in the private sector and government. Simon’s desire to help clients understand global developments in a contextualised way underpinned the establishment of Foreign Brief. This aspiration remains the organisation’s driving principle.