Former minister argues for new elections in Brazil

Former Justice Minister Tarso Genro argued Monday (Apr. 18) for new elections in Brazil. In his view, a possible government by vice-President Michel Temer—in case President Dilma Rousseff is removed—would have little legitimacy and could aggravate the country's social and political crisis.

“To call new elections would be much better. […] Being the jurist he is, he would probably acknowledge that his legitimacy to serve out the term would be scarce,” he said.

“We're not naive, we know [new elections] could only be called after an agreement is made. But I have no doubt it's perfectly possible. I believe it would be terrible for the country to have to go through two and a half more years with a president who doesn't have the legitimacy of the ballot box. That could bring about a social and political crisis even worse than the one we're currently experiencing.”

In his view, “little legitimacy in a presidential system may arouse in the population a feeling of lack of rules.” Genro went on to point out that the impeachment vote held Sunday in the Chamber of Deputies “lost track of its purpose, and could therefore be seen as a coup.”

Translated by Fabrício Ferreira