BRAZIL-2NDLD ROUSSEFF 2LAST

Many lawmakers and Brazilians nationwide, meanwhile, Many lawmakers and Brazilians nationwide, meanwhile,blamed Rousseff for the graft even though she has never beenpersonally implicated. They argued that she had to know, asmany of the alleged bribes happened while her party was inpower. Rousseff’s removal creates many questions that are noteasily answered. Michel Temer, her vice president who becameher nemesis, will serve out the remainder of her term through2018. He was expected to be sworn in later today. But Brazilians have already gotten a taste of Temer’sleadership, and they are clearly unimpressed. In May, Temer took over as interim president after theSenate impeached and suspended Rousseff. The 75-year-oldcareer politician named a Cabinet of all-white men, a decisionroundly criticised in a nation that is more than 50 per centnonwhite. Three of his ministers were forced to resign within weeksof taking their jobs because of corruption allegations, whichalso follow Temer and threaten his hold on power. When Temer announced the opening of the Olympics on Aug.5, he was so vociferously booed that he remained out of sightfor the remainder of the games. Rousseff’s allies have vowed to appeal to the country’shighest court. While previous petitions to the court havefailed to stop the impeachment process, at the very leastlegal wrangling will keep the issue front and centre. The decision also leaves many question marks over theeconomy, expected to decline for a second straight year. Temerhas promised to pull the country of 200 million people fromits recession by tackling reforms that have long been taboo,such as slimming public pensions. But he has not been able to accomplish much the last 3months as interim president, and it remains to be seen whetherCongress will be willing to work with him. (AP)ABH