Brazilian President survives prosecution vote

Brazilian President Michel Temer, who came to power after President Dilma Rousseff was impeached and removed from office in August 2016, has survived a crucial impeachment vote, which has threatened his Presidency since the very first day. After 2015 protests in Brazil against Rousseff's alleged involvement in the Petrobras scandal which involved kickbacks and corruption, she was impeached and Mr. Temer became President. However, his own name was involved in the scandal too. Mr. Temer was Vice President under the Rousseff government.

To survive the prosecution vote, Mr. Temer had to secure at least one-third of the 513-seat lower house of Congress that he needed to win the vote. He secured more than the requirement. Mr. Temer became the first sitting president of Brazil to face criminal charges after he was secretly taped in March allegedly discussing bribes with a businessman, Joesley Batista, the former chairman of meat packer JBS. 

Under Brazil’s constitution, two-thirds of the lower house of Congress or 342 lawmakers must approve any attempt to try a president on criminal charges such as corruption. However, Mr. Temer was able to secure 263 votes in his favor. Only, 227 voted in favor of trying him, while others abstained.

However, his real test lies ahead next year, when the Brazilian people would vote in the country’s general election.