Brazilian Congressman From Temer's Own Party to Lead Proceedings Against Him

07/05/2017 - 09h18

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DANIEL CARVALHO

RANIER BRAGON

BRUNO BOGHOSSIAN

ANGELA BOLDRINI

FROM BRASÍLIA

Congressman Sergio Zveiter, from the president's centrist Brazilian Democratic Movement Party (PMDB), was chosen as rapporteur for the Constitution and Justice Committee, that will analyze the formal accusation against Michel Temer.

Last week, Temer was formally accused of passive corruption by the prosecutor general, Rodrigo Janot.

Although Zveiter is from the same party of Temer, members of the presidential palace preferred other PMDB member to lead proceedings against Temer and admit they haven't seen the choice with good eyes.

The choice was made by the committee's chairman, Rodrigo Pacheco (PMDB). Opposition congressmen say that the rapporteur indicates he will act with detachment from the government.

"I have complete independence and tranquility", said Zveiter.

Congressmen allied with the president say that the chosen rapporteur will not cause problems.

The lawyer Antonio Claudio Mariz de Oliveira will present Temer's defense in the committee on Wednesday (5).

The government needs the votes of 34 of the 66 congressmen, but estimates it has 30. In an effort to secure further support and stop the charges, Temer held a marathon of meetings with politicians of the government's allied base.

After the committee has expressed its opinion on the admissibility of the charge, the full lower house must vote.

If two-thirds of the full lower house (at least 342 of the 513 congressmen) votes against Temer, the Supreme Court is authorized to analyze the formal charge against the president.

If the court opens the case, he will be suspended from office for 180 days.

Translated by MARINA DELLA VALLE

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