Michel Temer: Brazil president 'won't quit' over bribe claim
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-39968829
Michel Temer: Brazil president 'won't quit' over bribe claim
18 May 2017
From the section Latin America & Caribbean
Brazilian President Michel Temer says he will not quit, amid allegations he authorised paying bribes to silence a witness in a huge corruption scandal. "I will not resign. I know what I have done," he said in a televised address.
Earlier, the Supreme Court approved an investigation into the allegations, but Mr Temer said he would prove his innocence.
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Can he survive?
Mr Temer is already deeply unpopular in Brazil but his centre-right party has been able to govern as part of a coalition. Opposition parties have been demanding snap elections and his impeachment. Of more concern to Mr Temer may be signs of dissent within his administration, with a leader of his coalition allies, the social democrat PSDB, saying they were considering leaving the government.
The allegations have rattled Brazilian markets, with investors concerned that if Mr Temer is forced out his efforts to pull the economy out of recession would be derailed. The main Sao Paulo share index closed down 9% and the Brazilian currency suffered its worst day in 14 years.
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