Brazil's President Michel Temer Survives Congress Corruption Vote

New York Times: Brazilian Lawmakers Reject Bribery Prosecution of President Michel Temer

CURITIBA, Brazil — Brazilian lawmakers voted on Wednesday to spare President Michel Temer from standing trial on corruption charges, choosing to keep the deeply unpopular leader in place and avoid yet another round of political turmoil.

Mr. Temer needed at least 172 lawmakers to back him or abstain from voting to avoid prosecution. In a marathon congressional session that underscored Brazil’s polarization, 263 deputies supported him and 227 voted against him. The remaining 23 lawmakers abstained or were absent.

Several lawmakers who sided with him said Brazil could not afford more political upheaval. But opponents said that allowing Mr. Temer to stay amounted to an endorsement of the culture of impunity that has made corruption in Brazilian politics pervasive.

Before the vote, shoving matches broke out in the lower house of Congress. Lawmakers critical of Mr. Temer tossed fake bills in the air to denounce what they called the brazenness of corruption in Brazilian politics.

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WNU Editor: I knew that getting a 2/3 majority was going to be hard for the Brazilian opposition to muster that would have resulted in a bribery prosecution of President Temer

.... but it was not even close .... the majority rejected these charges.

More News On Brazil's President Michel Temer Surviving Yesterday's Congress Corruption Vote

Brazil's President Dodges Bribery Charge, but Risks Remain -- US News and World Report/AP
Brazil's Temer wins Congressional votes to block graft charge -- Reuters
Brazil eyes pension vote, budget target after Temer dodges trial -- Reuters
Brazil's Temer survives Congress vote on corruption charge -- DW
Brazil's President Survives Vote on Bribery Charge -- VOA
Brazil's Embattled President Michel Temer Survives Vote on Bribery Charge -- Time
Brazil's Chamber of Deputies rejects corruption charges against President Temer -- Xinhuanet
Brazil’s Temer Escapes Corruption Trial to Focus on Economy -- Bloomberg
Brazilian President Vows Reforms After Surviving Bribery Charge Vote -- Sputnik
Brazil reform hopes raised after Michel Temer wins graft vote -- Financial Times