New Wrinkle in Brazil Impeachment Process - Rio Roundup

(ATR) The new leader of the Brazilian lower house has called for a new vote in the impeachment proceedings against Dilma Rousseff.

Waldir Maranhao, who replaced Eduardo Cunha on May 5, called for the original lower house vote to be annulled, and redone in the next five sessions. The decision came as a surprise with President Rousseff saying in Brasilia she "did not know the consequences," of the actions.

Maranhao’s declaration, which is a continuation of the Brazilian attorney general’s recommendations against the proceedings, says that lower house deputies voted based off their party’s beliefs rather than with, "their personal convictions and done freely," according to a statement in the Brazilian media. He added that many deputies announced their votes beforehand, which made the whole situation biased.

A Brazilian upper house committee was supposed to vote on accepting the lower house vote on May 11. If the senate committee confirmed the lower house vote, Rousseff would be removed from office for 180 days while a trial was conducted in the senate. It is unclear if the vote will be held on Wednesday because of Maranhao’s decision.

On Twitter, upper house President Raimundo Lira said that there "will be no practical effect," on the vote and it remains scheduled for May 11.

Despite the ongoing political crisis in Brazil, organizers say the impeachment proceedings will not affect the Rio 2016 Olympic preparations.

IOC Vice-President Pleased With Rio Preps

Australian Olympic Committee President John Coates says the progress Rio 2016 has made in organizing the Games needs to be commended despite the current state of the country.

"We were impressed with the positive progress made over recent months… against a background of unprecedented domestic challenges, politically and economically," Coates said in a statement.

Coates was in Rio de Janeiro in April visiting as part of the Rio 2016 IOC Coordination Commission. He said that even though many temporary construction works remain for the Games, "the core building blocks are in place."

"A legacy for the people of Rio that includes significant improvements to the city’s antiquated and heavily congested public transport network," Coates added. "The local population see the Games as a positive element in the development of their city and country."

According to the AOC Australia expects to bring 440 athletes to Rio 2016. The athletes are expected to represent 26 of the 28 sports played during the Games.

Written by Aaron Bauer in Rio de Janeiro

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