Maintaining strong congressional support not only insulates Temer against further charges, but grants him the ability to get unpopular economic reforms approved.
Brazilian President Michel Temer will not stand trial for alleged corruption after the lower house voted against allowing the Brazilian Supreme Court to pursue charges against him. A formal request had been made by Brazil's General Prosecutor, Rodrigo Janot, for congress to authorize a probe into Temer. It is alleged that the Brazilian president negotiated bribes with the meat processing conglomerate JBS S.A. The Aug. 2 result is notable because it shows that despite having a record low approval rating for a Brazilian president, reaching 5 percent last week, Temer has been able to maintain congressional support to block the probe against him. Despite the lingering accusations of corruption, he will be able to stay in power, for the short term at least. Had the lower house approved corruption charges against Temer, he would have been removed from the presidency and tried by the Supreme Court.
