– VP eyes big job –
Financial markets have been betting heavily on Rousseff’s exit and the advent of a more business-friendly government to kickstart Brazil’s economy.
The country is in the grip of its worst recession for decades and political paralysis in the capital has prevented reforms that might attract back foreign investors, scared off by Brazil’s junk credit ratings.
But the expected euphoric reaction at market opening on Monday did not materialize after being outweighed by the dampening effect of tumbling world oil prices.
If, as many expect, the Senate goes on to start a trial, Vice President Michel Temer, who abandoned Rousseff to become a key opponent, will assume power. He would also stay on if the trial ended in impeachment.
Monday’s newspapers printed pictures of him smiling as he watched the vote.
But the celebrations could be short lived, analysts say.
Temer would inherit a country wallowing in economic disarray and a dysfunctional political scene where Rousseff’s Workers’ Party vows revenge.
“It will not be easy” for Temer, said Andre Cesar, an independent political analyst. “It will be a nightmare.”
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