Weekly Report - 21 July 2011 (WR-11-29)

BRAZIL | Falling like flies. The corruption scandal bedeviling the federal transport ministry and related public agencies has exploded in the past week, with 16 officials  removed at the behest of a furious President Dilma Rousseff, who has apparently ordered a total cleanup (‘limpeza total’) in response to the crisis. The clearance will not be limited to the transport ministry it seems, with rumours that the president is also on the warpath against other ministries including the cities’ ministry (run by the allied Partido Progresista) and the labour ministry (run by the allied Partido Democrático Trabalhista). The president’s spring clean has raised hackles in the ruling coalition, not least due to her decision to appoint replacements of her own making, but presidential advisors insist there are “no concerns about governability”.  The same advisors deny that the president is primarily motivated by a concern with her public image and her poll ratings. However, it is notable that Rousseff has seen fit to remove a minister and several senior officials on the apparent basis of press allegations – and prior to any judicial actions. Critics of Rousseff contend that her reaction to crises in her first six months in office amounts to nothing more than ‘crisis management’ and does not correspond to any genuine interest in reforming Brazil’s intensely clientelistic system. They also warn that her efforts may indeed seriously risk governability in the 15-party ruling coalition. Rousseff’s predecessor and mentor, Lula da Silva (2003-2010), came out in her defence this week, saying that Rousseff had acted “correctly” and that she has “the capacity to lead in this and in all situations”. He forecast another four years for his protégé beyond 2014.  Either way, Lula will probably be waiting in the wings.

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