![Brazilian acting President Michel Temer gestures during the inauguration ceremony of the new ministers at Planalto Palace, in Brasilia, on May 12, 2016. Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff was suspended Thursday to face an impeachment trial, ceding power to her vice president-turned-enemy Michel Temer, who quickly pivoted toward a more business-friendly government, naming a cabinet chosen to calm the markets after a paralyzing impeachment battle and steer the country out of its worst recession in decades. / AFP PHOTO / EVARISTO SA / The erroneous mention[s] appearing in the metadata of this photo by MARCOS CORREA has been modified in AFP systems in the following manner: [EVARISOT SA] instead of [MARCOS CORREA] on byline. And Source AFP instead of BRAZILIAN VICE PRESIDENCY. Please immediately remove the erroneous mention[s] from all your online services and delete it (them) from your servers. If you have been authorized by AFP to distribute it (them) to third parties, please ensure that the same actions are carried out by them. Failure to promptly comply with these instructions will entail liability on your part for any continued or post notification usage. Therefore we thank you very much for all your attention and prompt action. We are sorry for the inconvenience this notification may cause and remain at your disposal for any further information you may require.](https://www.eaglenews.ph/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/000_AK5XT-1024x682.jpg)
Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff was suspended Thursday to face an impeachment trial, ceding power to her vice president-turned-enemy Michel Temer, who quickly pivoted toward a more business-friendly government, naming a cabinet chosen to calm the markets after a paralyzing impeachment battle and steer the country out of its worst recession in decades.
/ AFP PHOTO
“We must significantly improve the business environment for the private sector… and rebalance the government’s budget,” the center-right leader said after installing his new business-friendly cabinet in a ceremony at the presidential palace, ending 13 years of leftist rule.
Extending an olive branch to the left after a divisive battle over Rousseff’s impeachment, he called for “dialogue” on the multiple crises facing Latin America’s largest country, which is deep in recession and reeling from a far-reaching corruption scandal.
“It is urgent to restore peace and unite Brazil,” said Temer, 75, who wore a dark suit and gray tie and at one point lost his voice.
“Dialogue is the first step to facing the challenges we must overcome to move forward and guarantee a return to growth.”
But on his first day in power Temer has already faced sharp criticism from opponents for installing an all-white, all-male cabinet, a dramatic change from the sidelined administration of Brazil’s first female president and a first since the return to democracy after the country’s military dictatorship (1964-1985).
Opponents also attacked him for including ministers implicated in corruption.
Temer vowed not to interfere with “Operation Car Wash,” the corruption investigation that has blown the lid off a multi-billion-dollar graft scheme centered on state oil company Petrobras.
“Operation Car Wash has become a benchmark, and must be protected from any attempt to weaken it,” he said.
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