Rousseff pushes for quick resolution on impeachment
December 8, 2015, 3:42 am

Delayed proceedings would benefit the opposition, which would then have more time to mobilize support against Rousseff [Image: Itamaraty]

The recess, which runs from mid-December to Feb. 2, should be called off in January, Rousseff told the press.

“We are living in a situation of political and economic crisis. I feel it is important for Congress to return without letting the country wait until February,” she said.

Rousseff added that she would be meeting with President of the Senate Renan Calheiros to convince him to call an extraordinary session of the legislature.

Last week, Eduardo Cunha, president of the Chamber of Deputies, the lower house of the National Congress, authorized impeachment proceedings against President Dilma Rousseff for her alleged involvement in a multi-billion dollar corruption scandal that has shaken her party.

The move came shortly after the ruling Workers’ Party (PT) faction in the lower house announced it would vote in favor of an ethics committee trial against Cunha for illicit enrichment.

Cunha of the Brazilian Democratic Movement Party (PMDB), has been accused of squirreling away millions overseas in secret Swiss bank accounts.

A corruption scandal at Brazil’s state oil giant Petrobras, has implicated politicians in Rousseff’s party, although not the president herself.

Brazil’s state oil giant Petrobras estimates it paid out some 6 billion reals ($1.6 billion) in illegal “commissions” as part of a corruption scheme that operated for years.

The impeachment announcement was first welcomed by local markets which registered gains; the real gained against the dollar on Wednesday. But then the bottom dropped and the trend was back into negative territory by the close of markets on Friday.

Also on Monday, Henrique Fontana, a PT member in the Chamber of Deputies, said the government seeks to accelerate its response to the impeachment proceedings to prevent damages to the economy.

According to Fontana, the government will present Rousseff’s defense case as soon as possible in order for the Congress to vote on the matter before Christmas.

At the 15th National Health Conference in Brasilia this past weekend, Rousseff reiterated what has always been her position – impeachment will derail Brazil’s economic recovery.

Rousseff denied her involvement in the corruption scandal.

“I will defend my mandate with all the instruments provided by a democratic state. I will show that this fight is not being waged in favor of a person or party. This is the fight for the democracy of our country,” added Rousseff.

In order for her to be impeached, the investigation must pass Congressional scrutiny followed by a 2/3rd vote in favor of the motion.

TBP and Agencies