Brazil’s senate turns the lights off to prevent opposition protest
Brasilia — Brazil’s senate was swathed in darkness on Tuesday afternoon, as the upper chamber’s president cut the power in an attempt to frustrate an opposition protest against a key labour reform bill. Eunício Oliveira, from the ruling coalition, ordered the senate floor sound, light and air-conditioning turned off , as he suspended the session that was due to vote on the government-sponsored bill. The senate president made his decision after a group of female senators from the opposition occupied his podium in order to postpone the vote. The unusual scene in the senate highlights the depth of the political crisis in Brasilia, and how difficult it has become for the government to pass legislation. With a clear majority in favour of de-regulated labour markets, President Michel Temer was hoping to show that his economic agenda has not been jeopardised by the latest political crisis. But with congress to vote as early as next week whether to put Temer on trial on corruption charges, ...
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