Rousseff's Impeachment: What's Next for Brazil? (Matthew M. Taylor, Danielle Renwick, CFR)

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff has likened efforts to remove her from office to a coup d'etat. Her impeachment trial, which could begin early next month, comes amid an economic recession (Brazil's economy shrank 3.8 percent last year), a corruption scandal that has ensnared many of Rousseff's political allies and foes, and single-digit approval ratings. While claims of a coup have been challenged, the political circumstances are extraordinary, says CFR Adjunct Senior Fellow Matthew Taylor. A majority of lawmakers in Brazil’s Congress, which voted for her impeachment, have themselves been charged with corruption, Taylor says. He adds that her possible replacement by Vice President Michel Temer would bring new challenges in creating a governing coalition, since he is nearly as unpopular as Rousseff.

http://www.cfr.org/brazil/rousseffs-impeachment-next-brazil/p37820