Brazil Supreme Court justice: Cunha “not qualified” as president's substitute

Justice Teori Zavascki of the Supreme Court ruled Thursday (May 5) the suspension of Eduardo Cunha from his post as lower house speaker, saying he is in no conditions to substitute the president. According to the Brazilian Constitution, in case both the country's president and vice-president are away, the speaker of the Chamber of Deputies takes over as head of state.

“There isn't the slightest doubt that the accused doesn't have the minimum personal conditions to fully carry out his responsibilities as speaker of the Chamber of Deputies. Nor does he have the qualifications to replace the president, since he is being targeted by an inquiry under deliberation here in the Supreme Court,” said Justice Zavascki in his ruling. Cunha is answering charges of corruption, money laundering, and the concealment of illicit amounts in bank accounts overseas.

Even with his mandate suspended, Eduardo Cunha remains a deputy and therefore may only be tried by the Supreme Court. Cunha announced he will appeal against Zavascki's move.

Translated by Fabrício Ferreira