Brazil's Vice President: We Must Restore Calm

Dilma Rousseff, the suspended President of Brazil, has described recent events in the largest country in Latin America as a 'coup'. A group of her allies, including the President of Venezuela, have also supported her. Rousseff's successor has called for unity and states that a 'national salvation' government will be formed. Michel Temer, a 75-year-old centrist politician, has been in charge of the government since May 12, replacing the Vice Presidency. He has been one of Rousseff's main opponents in recent months, although he and his party ministers were part of the Brazilian government coalition. After the Senate's vote to suspend Dilma Rousseff, Mr. Temer stated, 'It is essential to restore calm in Brazil and unite the country.' He expressed hope that 'political parties, leaders, organizations, and the people of Brazil' would cooperate to 'save the country from a severe crisis.' The Workers' Party has held power continuously for over a decade. Dilma Rousseff last won the presidential election in the fall of 2014. Before her, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was the President of Brazil, which has the ninth-largest economy in the world. Mr. da Silva is currently facing corruption charges. In addition to corruption cases, the declining economic situation has added to public discontent in Brazil. Temer, who has been in the Brazilian Congress for decades, hopes to find a way out of the economic crisis as a first step. Immediately after taking power, he appointed the head of the Central Bank as the Minister of Economy. Rousseff's suspension means she has lost her immunity, and as a result, allegations of budget law violations and manipulation of government accounts could bring her to trial. Dilma Rousseff herself has stated, 'I may have made mistakes, but I have never committed a crime.' She also said, 'I never thought I would have to fight against a coup in this country again.' Her reference is to the era of Brazilian dictators when she was a leftist guerrilla. Nicolás Maduro, the President of Venezuela, has supported Rousseff. Mr. Maduro, who leads a leftist government, described the events in Brazil as an 'American conspiracy' in a televised speech. He claims to see the hands of 'oligarchic media' and 'imperialist powers' in the events. Venezuela is currently facing its own increasing economic crisis, alongside widespread energy shortages, which have led to reduced working hours for employees, schools, and changes in the country's schedule. According to Reuters, the United Nations and some governments, including the United States, have expressed their confidence in the legal organizations and mechanisms in Brazil. Opponents of Rousseff's government and some of the socialists in the country have also expressed hope that a way out of the recent crises will be found.