Dilma Rousseff, the President of the Federative Republic of Brazil, got slammed with cries for her resignation. The opposition lawmakers on Wednesday made known their desire to make the President step down from her post. Lawmakers interrupted a congressional session and started chanting the word "resign".
Rousseff sparked a flood of protests and outcries when she appointed her mentor and former President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, as her Chief of Staff. This gave Lula immunity from all persecutions except the Supreme Court. Lula's name got caught in bribery and money-laundering issues, known as the "Operation Car Wash," and was supposed to be under investigation. However, the move of Rousseff gave implications that Lula is being protected from such investigations.
Channel News Asia published in a report that Rousseff defended her act from the allegations by saying that Lula has proper credentials for the position. According to the President, Lula has history of handling economic policies and fending off inlation. The Brazilian head also pointed out that Lula can still be subjected to investigations by the Supreme Court so he is not necessarily above the law.
Nevertheless, the appointment of Lula as Chief of Staff had implications in the investigations such as the delay of the persecution.
Reuters reported that Rousseff did the appointment for the purpose of fending of impeachment proceedings. Lula's appointment was also made when it got known that Lula will be subjected to investigations regarding the issue of bribery, money-laundering and the "Operation Car Wash."
Not long after the announcement of the appointment, Judge Sergio Moro leaked a taped conversation that features the former President Lula in an attempt to pull judges and prosecutors in his side. However, CTV news reported that Moro said that, "there is no indication inside and outside the dialogues that those mentioned in fact proceeded in an inappropriate manner." Moro was talking about the jduges and prosecutors that Lula, allegedly, according to the leaked tape, tried to bring to his side.
Meanwhile, the President's camp showed no signs of resignations. In fact, their camp made statements that the recordings or wiretaps will be dealt accordingly. Lula's Lawyer, Cristiano Zanin Martins, suggested that the tapes were meant to introduce public discontent and protests. According to a related report, the Presidential Palace intends to proceed with the swearing of Former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva as President Dilma Rousseff's Chief of Staff.
Amidst all the chaos is Vera Carneiro, 75, with a Brazilian Flag around him, was one of the protesters outside the presidency. The protester said that, "I am here for the future of my children, grandchildren and great grandchildren," and he added that, "Dilma has to go. She and Lula both. Enough is enough."
