Brazil: Temer talks of “conspiracy” aimed at taking him down

In a letter to legislators, the president says he has fallen victim of

Published on 16/10/2017 - 18:15 By Yara Aquino reports from Agência Brasil - Brasília

Brasília - Presidente Michel Temer durante pronunciamento sobre a liberação do PIS-Pasep, no Palácio do Planalto (Valter Campanato/Agência Brasil)

President Michel TemerValter Campanato/Agência Brasil

President Michel Temer sent a letter to Congress members defending himself from the accusations against him. In the text, Temer mentions a “conspiracy” aimed at bringing him down, and adds that he has fallen victim of “a relentless campaign including sordid and mendacious attacks.”

As the second round of charges filed by the Prosecutor-General's Office are being considered by a special lower house committee, Temer justifies his letter: “I cannot be silent. I must not be silent.”

Throughout the four-page missive, the president mentions the recorded conversations between meatpacker JBS executives Joesley Batista and Ricardo Saud, and says that their purpose of overthrowing him is clear. Temer also talks about the plea bargain statements of foreign currency dealer Lúcio Funaro, whose videos were recently made public by the press. “Now they're bringing back a delinquent known for his multiple broken plea bargain deals to lie, in an assault on the president, the National Congress and its members, and the political parties,” the letter reads.

Temer ends the text with various figures from the economy, like lower inflation rates, employment generation, and efforts like the approval of the labor reform. He also tells legislators that the restored growth in the country was achieved through the “decisive support” from both congressional houses.

Starting Tuesday (Oct. 17), Constitution and Justice Commission of the lower house is to deliberate on the charges against Temer and his allies Eliseu Padilha and Moreira Franco. The report, presented last Tuesday (10) by Deputy Bonifácio de Andrade, rapporteur in the case, recommends the rejection of the charges, arguing that they are based on “spurious, unfounded accusations,” adding that “there is no justifiable cause for the case to continue.”


Translated by Fabrício Ferreira


Fonte: Brazil: Temer talks of “conspiracy” aimed at taking him down

Edition: Amanda Cieglinski / Olga Bardawil

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