News / Brazil

Brazilian president unveils measures against corruption

Wednesday, 18 March 2015 7:06 PM [ Last Update: Wednesday, 18 March 2015 7:05 PM ]

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff attends the signing ceremony of the Code of Civil Procedure at the Planalto Palace in the capital city of Brasilia on March 16, 2015. © AFP

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff has announced a set of measures in a bid to fight corruption amid a massive scandal surrounding the state-run oil company, Petrobras.

"We are a government that does not tolerate corruption and we have the duty and obligation to fight impunity and corruption," she said on Wednesday while unveiling the anti-graft package, which reportedly includes measures designed to tackle corruption and ensure the punishment of corrupt officials.

The move came in the wake of mass street protests against Rousseff's administration, urging the 67-year-old leader to step down over the country’s stagnating economy and rising energy costs.

People rally to protest against the government of Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff in the city of Rio de Janeiro on 15 March, 2015. © AFP

Rousseff, who served as the head of Petrobras before taking office in 2010, also faces criticism for failing to take action against corruption during her tenure at the oil giant and later as the Brazilian leader.

Nearly 50 politicians, many of them belonging to the ruling Workers’ Party (PT) and the allied Brazilian Democratic Movement Party (PMDB), are under investigation.

They are reportedly accused of involvement in a scheme facilitating graft in the oil giant, which saw some USD 3.8 billion creamed off inflated contracts over a decade.

Rousseff, who has not been personally implicated in the Petrobras scandal, has denied any knowledge of the multibillion-dollar bribery and kickback scheme, which has tarnished the company’s financial standing.

Picture taken on March 4, 2015 shows the facade of the headquarters of the Brazilian state-run oil giant Petrobras in the city of Rio de Janeiro. © AFP

Earlier this week, the public prosecutor in Brazil formally charged 27 people in relation to the scandal, among them Joao Vaccari, the PT treasurer.

In December last year, prosecutors also charged executives from several Brazilian construction firms with allegations that contractors colluded in tenders and bribed officials of the Brazilian oil producer.

SSM/HMV/SS

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk