Presidential drama plagues Brazil

Foto+Oficial+Presidenta+Dilma+Rousseff.++Foto%3A+Roberto+Stuckert+Filho.

Agência Brasil

Foto Oficial Presidenta Dilma Rousseff. Foto: Roberto Stuckert Filho.

While America is in the midst of primary elections, the president of Brazil, Dilma Rousseff, may face suspension and possible impeachment for allegedly violating fiscal laws in 2014, according to The New York Times.

Those prosecuting Rousseff, namely lower house speaker Eduardo Cunha, claim she used money from state banks to pay for deficits in the budget. Cunha was suspended by Brazil’s highest court on May 5, according to BBC News.

An investigation into the claims against her began in December but was stopped by a court order before resuming again in March.

If such a trial did occur, the vice president Michel Temer would take interm hold of the office. Temer is also facing claims he was allegedly part of an illegal ethanol buying scheme. In addition, Temer recently faced fines for violating campaign funding laws, according to the New York Times.

There was also a ruling from the Supreme Federal Tribunal that if Rousseff faces impeachment charges then the Senate must also consider Temer for impeachment, according to The Guardian.

It is currently unclear as to whether or not the impeachment case will move forward, but if it did it would only require 54 of the 81 senators to vote for impeachment. Brazil’s senate voted to begin a trial against Rousseff May 12, according to CNN.