Internet Desk: Less than three months before the Rio Olympics, Brazil headed deeper into political and economic disarray Wednesday as President Dilma Rousseff faced imminent impeachment.
The Senate planned to vote on whether Rousseff would go to trial over breaking public spending accounting rules. Some newspaper polls showed the necessary majority of the senate’s 81 members were prepared to vote for impeachment.
If that happens, Rousseff will be suspended from office and the trial will begin within 180 days. Vice President Michel Temer, a member of the centrist Brazilian Democratic Movement Party, would take over until the trial rendered a verdict.
The political chaos, on top of a severe economic downturn that has gripped Brazil, is not expected to directly affect the Olympic Games, which open Aug. 5. However, the turmoil would be an embarrassment since the president plays host at the opening ceremony. In addition, massive demonstrations for and against Rousseff like those that have occurred this year could disrupt travel by visitors attending Olympic events.
Brazil’s highest court said Wednesday it rejected an appeal filed by Rousseff’s government to stop the Senate impeachment vote, the Associated Press reported. The appeal was turned down as the full senate met in a session.