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Spotlight: Embattled Lula, Rousseff face judicial challenges

Xinhua, March 18, 2016 Adjust font size:

A week of momentous political upheaval in Brazil continued on Thursday with former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva facing an attempt to bar him out of the government and a committee being formed to potentially impeach President Dilma Rousseff.

Thousands gathered outside the Planalto presidential palace demanding Rousseff's resignation while, in other cities, pro-government protesters clashed with those calling for the impeachment.

Federal judge Preta Neto issued an injunction Thursday to suspend the office of Lula as chief of staff in Rousseff's cabinet, saying it prevented free exercise of justice, according to local media.

The injunction came after Lula was sworn in as the cabinet chief on Thursday morning. However, it must be approved by a higher court before taking effect and can be appealed by the government, which means that Lula can still exercise his new role in the meantime.

Meanwhile, photos have emerged of Neto taking part in anti-government protests, calling into doubt his neutrality and impartiality in this case.

Venezuelan TV station, TeleSUR, published screenshots allegedly taken from Neto's Facebook account, in which the judge took a selfie at a protest and wrote "Fora Dilma" (Dilma Out).

The government immediately launched an appeal at the Brazilian Supreme Court to have the injunction struck down. It lambasted Neto for carrying out a "grave offense against the foundation of law, of the separation of powers and of the legal process."

The change in the political winds in Brazil were also evident on Thursday when the Chamber of Deputies favored in an overwhelming 433-to-1 vote setup of a special commission to oversee the impeachment process of Rousseff.

In theory, most of the members of the commission belong to parties allied to the government but internal divisions make the commission's mindset uncertain.

Support has come from outside Brazil for the embattled leaders. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro called on Thursday for a "global show of solidarity" against the "judicial and media coup" against Rousseff and Lula.

Analysts said such support was of only very limited help. In order to emerge safe from the crisis, Rousseff and Lula need to display more trust in the Brazilian judicial system. Endi