It is sometimes said that Brazil tries every approach to economics until it finally chooses the right one. Over the past 60 years, the country has been just as creative in the way it removes presidents too. Getúlio Vargas was driven to suicide; Jânio Quadros was forced to pack it in; João Goulart was deposed in a military coup; and Fernando Collor de Mello was impeached on corruption charges. Many wonder if Dilma Rousseff, elected for a second term eight months ago, might face a similar fate.
The reasons for her precarious position are clear. A sprawling corruption scandal at Petrobras, pursued with admirable vigour by independent prosecutors, has revealed just how venal Brazil’s politicians, especially the ruling Workers party, have become; more than $2bn was stolen in kickbacks from the state-controlled energy company.
As Ms Rousseff chaired Petrobras when much of the corruption took place, she can be blamed at least of gross incompetence.
In addition, there is her dismal economic record. The economy has hit the buffers, with the recession forecast to last through 2016 at least. In the meantime, the currency is sliding, investment has collapsed, inflation is twice the official target, investor confidence has evaporated and unemployment is rising. No wonder there were mass protests across Brazil on Sunday — or that 66 per cent of Brazilians want Ms Rousseff impeached.
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