Brazil: corruption scandals weaken Temer government on the eve of a general strike There have been fresh revelations about the corruption coursing through the veins of Brazilian politics. An investigation into what has become known as ‘Operation Car Wash’ (Lava Jato) - a money laundering and bribery scheme with links to state-owned oil company Petrobras and a number of politicians - has been ongoing since 2014. As recently as last week, this investigation has produced a fresh wave of allegations against even more members of Congress from all political parties. The money-grubbing filth with which the Brazilian state is spattered is clear for all to see.
Liberdade e Luta: the development of a revolutionary mood in Brazil “Freedom is the goal, and struggle is the method”, says Lucy Dias, a university student and revolutionary activist from the organisation Liberdade e Luta (Freedom and Struggle), “but there can’t be real freedom under capitalism”. We’re sitting, along with 1500 other young socialists and political activists, in a vast warehouse in the old port district of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Defiant slogans decorate the walls and the building is awash with militant singing and lively drum beats. This is an international camp for young people who want to fight for their future, organised by Juntos!, a broad youth organisation. Here, there’s no doubt that spirit of freedom and struggle is...
Brazil: PSOL National Executive approves entry of Marxist Left Comrades and friends, We would like to inform everyone that the National Executive of PSOL [Party of Socialism and Freedom] yesterday [11th February] approved the entry of the Marxist Left [Brazilian section of the IMT] into the party.
Brazil: In defense of democratic and trade union freedoms and workers' rights The Union of Municipal Workers of Florianópolis (Sintrasem) is being attacked by the city and the judiciary. International solidarity needed!
Brazil: Marxist Candidates Against the System in the 2016 Municipal Elections The Brazilian political situation parallels the international situation, marked by instability and unpredictability.
Brazil: After impeachment, what are the prospects? By 61 votes to 20, the rotten Brazilian Senate has approved the impeachment of Dilma and, consequently, her definitive removal from office. This is the final chapter in a process which was started in December 2015 by the former president of the Chamber of Deputies, Eduardo Cunha.
Brazil: #FORATEMER occupies the streets of Sao Paulo At the #ForaTemer (Témer Out!) rally in Sao Paulo on Sunday, May 15th, Liberdade e Luta (Freedom and Struggle) was present among the ten thousand-strong protest.
Impeachment of Dilma Rousseff – the Brazilian ruling class on the warpath The Brazilian Senate has just voted by a majority of 55 votes to 22 to proceed with the impeachment the President Dilma Rousseff. Michel Temer, the Vice-President, and member of the bourgeois PMDB, is now making preparations to form a new right-wing government. This marks the end of a long period of relative political stability in Brazil. The economy is in its worst recession since the 1930s. It is in this context that we can understand the recent dramatic shifts and turns in the political situation.
On May 1st in Brazil The 1st May in Brazil occurred in this year amid the deepening economic crisis and the political crisis in the country with the opening of impeachment of President Dilma Roussef, driven by the bourgeoisie to raise a government able to implement deeper the austerity measures demanded by capital.
Brazilian impeachment unleashes forces the ruling class will regret The impeachment of Dilma was approved on Sunday by a united front of bourgeois parties in order to establish a government of Temer [current vice-president] and Cunha [Parliamentary speaker], with support from the PSDB (Brazilian Social Democratic Party), DEM (Democrats) and other parties.
Brazil: Impeachment of Dilma opens up new period of class struggle Dramatic events unfolded in Brazil last night as the Congress [Parliament] voted to impeach President Dilma Rousseff. The whole country was following the process, divided into two camps, the reactionary pro-impeachment bourgeois and petit bourgeois, and the anti-impeachment workers and youth.
Brazil: Unity in defence of workers’ rights and conquests! Class independence and struggle! The Brazilian bourgeoisie has decided that it is time to take back direct control of the government. It no longer wants an outsourced government. For this reason, the united front of the ruling class called the demonstrations of 13th March.
Brazil: Lula's arrest - statement of the Marxist Left Federal Police arrived at the home of former Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva at 6am on Friday, March 4th, executing a bench warrant, commanding him to appear before the authorities to give testimony. Lula was released 3 hours later and has not yet been indicted.
Brazil: Why has Cunha accepted the request for Dilma's impeachment? The President [Speaker] of the Brazilian parliament, Eduardo Cunha is manoeuvring in an attempt to save his own skin. [Cunha has been charged with taking millions in bribes in connection with a kickbacks scheme that has embroiled state-run oil company Petrobras.] What does his acceptance of the request to initiate impeachment against Dilma mean? And what position should the working class adopt?
Brazil: The struggle is for the abolition of the existing order Both the internal and external debt of Brazil are skyrocketing. The internal debt has reached R$3.6trn and the external debt is now US$555bn. International capital is becoming worried about default.