Why in news?
The incumbent Brazilian President, Michel Temer, has been indicted in a scandal.
What is the reason?
- The President is accused of his involvement in the authorisation of heavily subsidised public loans for a private corporation in return for political patronage.
- He has denied the charges.
- The requisite vote in the lower House of Congress to authorise a criminal trial may not materialise eventually, as most members are themselves facing investigations.
- Last year, the then President, Dilma Rousseff was impeached.
- She was implicated over a scandal in the state-owned oil giant and its construction arm.
- Mr. Temer was the Vice-President then.
What should be done?
- This continuing turmoil puts at risk assurances of reforms to Brazil’s labour laws and generous pension system.
- Brazilian Left leaned too much towards an unsustainable populist agenda during the years of the commodities boom.
- On the other hand, Right appear ill-equipped as a realistic alternative despite attempts to attract overseas investment.
- Brazil badly needs a strong centre that is not tempted to populism and assure accountability.
Source: The Hindu
