The bone of contention is the ongoing investigation into alleged corruption in the management of State oil company Petrobras.
Investigation into corruption charges in the State oil company Petrobras is tearing Brazil apart as President Dilma Rousseff is threatening to take legal action against Senator Delcidio Amaral for alleging that she is involved in the corruption scandal. The Senator says Rousseff knew of wrongdoings and tried to block investigations, BBC said.
BBC reported that the inquiry has led to the arrest or investigation of dozens of executives and politicians, suspected of overcharging for contracts with Petrobras and using part of the money to pay for bribes and electoral campaigns. There are reports of widespread public support for the investigation, known as “Operation Car Wash”. President Rousseff and her allies are said to have criticised its leading judge, Sergio Moro. They argue the inquiry has become politicised and some of his actions have been illegal.
The corruption investigation crisis is now a stumbling block to Dilma Rousseff rule and almost becoming a constitutional crisis. Reports say that last week, the leading judge in the investigation Sergio Moro released phone recordings suggesting that President Rousseff had appointed her predecessor, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva as her chief of staff to spare him arrest over money-laundering charges he denies.
Ms Rousseff has vehemently denied the accusation. However, Supreme Court judge Gilmar Mendes has suspended Lula's nomination, and a final decision is yet to be announced. The judge said the injunction, suspending the appointment was on the grounds that it prevented “the free exercise of justice” in corruption investigations.
The leak of information on the investigation to the media is further widening the political gap in Brazil. The President’s supporters have criticized the leaks of questioning and details. New Justice Minister Eugenio Aragao questioned the publication of the unverified phone tap conversations between Ms Rousseff and Lula and said the Car Wash investigation was losing its objectivity. The release of the recordings has also been criticised by Supreme Court judge Marco Aurelio Mello, who has questioned its legality.
