2016 Brazilian Anti-Corruption Protests

Overview

The 2016 Protests in Brazil are a continuation of mass demonstrations against the government Dilma Rousseff (Worker's Party, PT) started in 2014 and strengthened in 2015.^[1] Protesters call for the destitution of the Rousseff, the arrest of former president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and the continuation of the "Operation Car Wash," which investigates the biggest corruption scandal in the history of the country.^[1]

Background

On December 2, 2015, after three massive protests against the federal government, the speaker of the lower house accepted a impeachment request against president Dilma Rousseff. The request was based on charges of lenience towards corruption, fiscal fraud and unauthorized spending.^[2] On December 13, new marches supporting the impeachment process erupted, however, drawing fewer people than the previous demonstrations.^[3] Immediately after, the organizers announced a new massive demonstration for March 13, 2016.
On February 2016, Dilma Rousseff, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and the Worker's Party were the targets of two new pot-banging protests.^[4][5] Several high-profile members and associates of Lula and Rousseff were arrested, including their presidential campaign chief João Santana.^[6] Meanwhile, Lula saw his name further implicated in corruption charges. One demonstration erupted into violence when supporters of the Worker's Party, in larger number, attacked a small group of anti-corruption protesters who were trying to raise the 15m-tall inflatable doll of Lula] Two weeks later, Lula's house was raided by the Federal Police, and he was forcibly dragged to testify.^[8] A team of prosecutors in São Paulo conducting a parallel investigation filed an arrest request against him, which is yet to be judged.^[9] These events brought even more public attention to the demonstration scheduled for March 13.

Notable Developments

March 13 protests

On March 13, over 3 million people took the streets in the largest protest in the country's history. ^[1] An incomplete survey of the numbers given by the Military Police counted 3.6 million people; organizers spoke of 6.9 million people all over the country. ^[10] By far, the largest gathering took place in São Paulo, the largest city in Brazil. According to the Military Police, 1,400,000 people flooded the Paulista Avenue in the largest demonstration in the city's history. ^[11] Like the previous big demonstrations, the March 13 protests were peaceful, with very few incidents. ^[11] The fresh demonstrations are expected to put a new pressure on Rousseff's impeachment process and Lula's investigation. ^[11]

The release Lula's taped conversations and Lula’s nomination to minister

On March 16, Lula accepted the invitation to become a minister in Dilma's government, something that the protestors interpreted as a way to evade justice since politicians in Brasil can only be tried by the supreme curt witch the judges were appointed by Lula and Dilma previously^[12] ,the judge in charge of the investigation released the taped conversations between Lula and Dilma from that day ^[12] ,those conversations made the protesters take over the streets again^[12]

On Mach 17 ,Lula was nominated to minister,but hours a federal judge in Brasilia issued an injunction to the nomination^[13] ,it was overruled in higher court in the same day but another injunction was also made in Rio the Janiero it was overruled in march 18^[14] but a injunction made the the supreme court judge on march 19^[15]an appeal was made ,it was rejected on march 22^[16]by anther supreme court judge.

On March 23 a supreme curt judge ordered that the case against Lula to be handled by the supreme court on the basis that the judge in charge of the investigation, illegally released the taped conversations between Lula and Dilma.^[17]

External References

^[1] Fox News Latino – 3M protesters call for Brazilian president's resignation amid corruption investigations

^[2] Bloomberg Business – Brazil Goes From Crisis to Crisis as Impeachment Bid Begins

^[3] Reuters – Brazilians take to streets to demand Rousseff's impeachment

^[4] Istoé – Dilma is the target of a new "Panelaço" during TV speech

^[5] Mercopress – Petrobras scandal becomes a mincing machine for the political system

^[6] The Guardian – Brazil president Rousseff's campaign chief arrested over alleged bribery ties

^[7] Reuters – Brazilians clash after questioning of ex-President suspended

^[8] BBC – Brazil Petrobras scandal: Former president Lula questioned

^[9] BBC – Brazil prosecutors request arrest of ex-President Lula

^[10] Globo – Mapa das manifestações contra Dilma, 13/03

^[11] BBC – Brazil protesters call for President Rousseff to resign

^[12] The Guardian – Release of tapped phone calls between Lula and Rousseff sparks mass protests in Brazil

^[13] Folha de São Paulo – Juiz suspende nomeação de Lula; governo recorre

^[14] Xinhuanet – New court ruling clears Lula for chief of staff post

^[15] Us news – A Supreme Court judge has suspended ex-Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's nomination to a Cabinet post amid corruption investigations, a decision likely to stoke tensions in a country already rocked by pro- and anti-government demonstrations

^[16] Reuters -Brazil Supreme Court justice upholds barring of Lula from post

^[17] Forbes – Brazil's Supreme Court Judge Saves Ex-President Lula From Top Petrobras Prosecutor