Brazil’s Crisis Deepens As Calls for Temer’s Resignation Grow

FEATURING MARIA LUISA MENDONÇA – Brazil’s political crisis continues to grow with President Michel Temer deploying national security forces to patrol the capital, Brasilia after a massive demonstration and a fire in the Agriculture Ministry. Temer has revoked the security order but the political damage against him continues to pile up.

Having taken office after last year’s impeachment of President Dilma Rousseff, Temer and the opposition forces he represents have found that leading the country is not easy especially when they are accused of corruption themselves. In the latest blow, Brazilian media have claimed they have a secret recording of Temer trying to thwart an anti-corruption drive.

Temer and his associates have also faced mass public opposition to their neo-liberal economic policies. Unions organized a major general strike in April against Temer’s proposed austerity cuts.

With Rousseff and the Workers Party weakened and with the right wing opposition also teetering on the edge, what is in store for Brazil’s democracy?

Maria Luisa Mendonça, Director of Brazil’s Network for Social Justice and Human Rights, Director of the Feminist Alliance for Rights at the Center for Women’s Global Leadership at Rutgers University.