The Struggle To Bring Democracy Back to Brazil

The Establishment, rocked by widespread corruption scandals, clings desperately to power in the face of a growing rebellion by the organised and determined masses, writes Francisco Dominguez

After Latest Bombshells, Only Michel Temer’s Removal and New Elections Can Save Brazil’s Democracy- Glen Greenwald

WHEN MICHEL TEMER was permanently installed as president less than one year ago after the impeachment of elected President Dilma Rousseff, the primary justification offered by Brazilian media figures was that he would bring stability and unity to a country beset by political and economic crisis. From the start, the opposite has been true: Temer and his closest allies were a vessel for far more corruption, controversy, instability, and shame than anything that preceded them. His approval ratings have literally collapsed to single digits.

ITUC- Brazilians Rising Against Temer Government’s Dismantling of Pensions and Attacks on Workers’ Rights

More than a million people across Brazil’s 27 states took part in protests on 15 March against huge cuts to pensions and social security planned by the deeply unpopular government of Michel Temer.

Chris Williamson- In Solidarity with Lula, Against the Coup and Neo-liberalism

Lula addresses Prouni Scholars Students, photo: Ricardo Stukert/instituto Lula

Over the last year Brazil has been in the depths of the most scandalous political crisis in recent history. Despite the controversy surrounding the country, the international coverage of the fifth-biggest country in the world has at times felt non-existent.

Understanding Brazil’s Recurring Rocky Road for Leftist Presidents

By Mitch Rogers, Research Associate at the Council on Hemispheric Affairs

On January 18, 2017, twelve Democratic congresspersons from the U.S. House of Representatives signed a letter addressed to the Ambassador of Brazil to the United States, Sergio Silva do Amaral. The letter expressed “deep concern regarding the current state of democracy and human rights in Brazil,” continuing on to accuse the political factions behind last year’s impeachment of democratically-elected President Dilma Rousseff of protecting corrupt politicians, passing hugely unpopular policies, and attacking political opponents. [i] Specifically, the letter suggests that former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has been unjustly targeted by both media outlets and judge Sergio Moro due to his continuous political popularity and leadership of Brazil’s Workers’ Party (PT). On January 13, a similar letter was signed in the United Kingdom by various members of Parliament and distributed via the Guardian.[ii]

Brazil’s Political Crucible- Colin Burgon

A coffin is burned to symbolise Temer’s government. Photo by Fernando DK/Democratize

Former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s intentions to run for president again in 2018 have set in motion numerous campaigns to discredit him. Progressives the world over need to act to support him, writes COLIN BURGON

Eight ways the Workers’ Party transformed Brazil

On the first of January 2003, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the candidate of the PT (Workers’ Party) was elected president of Brazil. 

Less than 20 years after the end of a brutal military dictatorship, with poverty rampant and a failing economy, the Brazilian people had exercised their wish for a break from the past and a new, fairer, society.