Today, we bring an exclusive report detailing impeachment talks in Brasília. The government’s attempt to allow companies to suspend contracts was dead on arrival. And the Central Bank’s move to ensure security to the financial system.
SCOOP: Bolsonaro impeachment brewing in Brasília
Since Jair Bolsonaro took office, 15 months ago, his relationship with Congress has been, to say the least, highly dysfunctional. But the government’s utter inability to deal with the coronavirus crisis—especially from an economic standpoint—has perhaps tipped the scales against it in a definitive way. We have already reported that the I-word has begun to float around the corridors of Brasília, but sources close to the country’s top political players have informed our Brasília correspondent Brenno Grillo that behind-the-scenes negotiations for an impeachment process have already begun.
What’s happening. Four leading Brasília sources, with close ties to House Speaker Rodrigo Maia, as well as right-wing liberals in Congress, and the most politicized Supreme Court justices have all confirmed the story. Mr. Maia sees the president’s approval rating (hovering around 35 percent) quickly eroding once the effects of the Covid-19 recession begin to hit Brazil. This could create the perfect moment for an offensive, according to a source who...