“How do you vote, deputy?”, the question was repeated hundreds of times, on April 17, 2016, by the then president of the Chamber, (PMDB). It was the voting session that opened the case against the then president (), and the plenary was packed.
As the majority of deputies decided to speak, Cunha hurried them with that question, to avoid extending the session, which lasted ten hours, even further. Nothing that prevented Hiran Gonçalves (PP-RR), Stefano Aguiar (-MG) and Laerte Bessa (PR-DF) from dedicating their votes in favor of impeachment to the “Freemasons of Brazil”, “Liliane, my love” and “my mother”, respectively.
The parties mentioned are those to which the parliamentarians belonged at the time.
While the main cities in Brazil convulsed in protests against and in favor of impeachment, the opposition chanted, in the plenary, “I am Brazilian, with great pride, with great love”, several wearing green and yellow ribbons around their necks.
In contrast, the left protested with “out, Cunha”. In the end, the opposition victory was achieved by 367 votes to 137, and Dilma’s removal, on charges of criminal responsibility in the case of fiscal pedaling, was confirmed less than a month later in the .
A decade later, the Chamber session became a symbol of the recent history of Brazilian politics, mainly because it foreshadowed the ideological antagonism that would intensify in the following years. He also exposed themes that would gain strength in the debate, including the anti-corruption flag, religious discourse and rhetoric against the coup, perpetuated by the left.
More discreet than other colleagues, important figures were present in the plenary, who would gain power, all in favor of impeachment: the future presidents of the Chamber (DEM-RJ), (PP-AL) and Hugo Motta (PMDB-PB) and the future president of the Senate (-MG).
Some episodes that occurred that day are still remembered today: the former president’s tribute to a torturer during the dictatorship, Jean Wyllys’ (-RJ) spitting on Bolsonaro and Cunha’s vote. Below, remember ten memorable moments from the session.
‘IN MEMORY OF USTRA’
Bolsonaro, a member of the PSC, congratulated Cunha for accepting the complaint made by lawyers Hélio Bicudo, Miguel Reale Júnior and Janaína Paschoal. In a celebratory tone, he compared 1964, the year of the military coup, with 2016. Finally, he paid tribute to Colonel Carlos Alberto Brilhante Ustra, torturer during the dictatorship. In 1970, Dilma was arrested and tortured by the regime, with a macaw stick, shocks, punches and paddles.
“In the memory of Colonel Carlos Alberto Brilhante Ustra, the fear of Dilma Rousseff”, said Bolsonaro, who would present his well-known catchphrase there. “For a Brazil above all and for God above all.”
At the moment, the former president is under house arrest for medical reasons. He was sentenced by the Supreme Court to 27 years and 3 months in prison for attempting a coup d’état.
‘MAY GOD HAVE MERCY ON THIS NATION’
Cunha was absent from the presidential chair for a brief moment to vote, amid boos from the government base. “May God have mercy on this nation. I vote yes.” In that context, Cunha was already a defendant, accused of passive corruption and money laundering, within the scope of Lava Jato.
Three weeks after the vote, he was removed from office by decision of the then minister of the (Federal Supreme Court) Teori Zavascki. Later, his mandate would be revoked, making him ineligible, and he would spend four years in prison.
‘CUNHA, YOU ARE A GANGSTER’
Finger raised, the deputy (PSOL-RJ) shot: “Eduardo Cunha, you are a gangster. And what supports your chair smells like sulfur.” He then paid tribute to left-wing figures who were involved in the fight against the dictatorship, such as former deputies Carlos Marighella and Plínio de Arruda Sampaio. “I vote for those who never chose the easy side of history.” Voted against. This year, Braga is tipped to run for Government of Rio de Janeiro.
‘SEXIST FARSE’
Jean Wyllys (PSOL-RJ) started the vote by attacking Cunha and the then vice-president, Michel Temer (PMDB). To this day, the left claims that the impeachment was a coup, plotted behind the scenes by Temer and Cunha.
“I am embarrassed to participate in this farce, this indirect election, conducted by a thief, concocted by a traitor, conspirator and supported by torturers, cowards, political illiterates and sellouts. This sexist farce,” said Wyllys, voting “no” on behalf of the LGBT population. During the session, Wyllys even spat at Bolsonaro. According to Wyllys, the aggression was a response to insults. He has already announced his pre-candidacy for the position of federal deputy for São Paulo.
‘FOR THE MILITARY OF 64, TODAY AND FOREVER’
Wrapped in a flag of the state of São Paulo and looking directly at the camera, , the former president’s 3rd son, remembered God, the revolutionaries of 1932, the police and the 59 million voters who voted “no” to the ban on the sale of firearms. He was affiliated with the PSC.
To finish, he cited the dictatorship, like his father (“For the military of 64, today and always”) and called for the arrest of Lula and Dilma (“And Lula and Dilma in jail”). Living in the United States, Eduardo is a defendant in the STF on charges of coercion during the process. According to the PGR (Attorney General’s Office) complaint, he tried to use his influence with American authorities to interfere in proceedings against his father.
‘THE FIGHT HAS JUST STARTED’
The deputy (PC do B) began her speech expressing indignation at Cunha occupying the presidency of the Chamber without “meeting the moral conditions for this”. According to Feghali, the impeachment session made it clear to society that the impeachment alliance brought together “corrupt people, torturers, like Jair Bolsonaro, and traitors to the country.” The deputy also made a prophecy: “The fight has just begun.”
‘YES FOR THE FUTURE’
It was up to deputy Bruno Araújo (PSDB) to cast the 342nd vote, which confirmed the continuation of the impeachment process. “Pernambuco has never failed Brazil. I carry with me our stories of the fight for freedom and democracy. Therefore, I say to Brazil “yes for the future”, he said, shouting, before being carried in the arms of his allies.
Araújo would become Minister of Cities in the Temer government and, from 2019 to 2023, he was national president of the PSDB. Upon leaving office, he said he would also end his career in public life.
‘GLORY TO GOD’
“Glory to God”, said the deputy (PT do B), presenting Brazil with the exultation that would be the hallmark of his campaign for the Presidency of the Republic, two years later. Before voting “yes”, he shouted “out” to everyone: Dilma, Temer, Cunha, the former governor of Rio de Janeiro Luiz Fernando Pezão (PMDB), the then vice-governor Francisco Dornelles (PP), who died in 2023, and Rede Globo. “Happy is the nation whose God is the Lord.”
Daciolo made his pre-candidacy for President official with the Mobiliza party, formerly the PMN (National Mobilization Party).
‘THE MOST BEAUTIFUL MORENA IN BRAZIL’
At the time a deputy for DEM, he was also present at the session to vote “yes”. On the occasion, Mandetta saluted his city, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul. “Because we have a country to build, because of the families, because of Campo Grande, the most beautiful brunette in Brazil, for my Mato Grosso do Sul and for Brazil, the vote is yes”, he stated.
Three years after Dilma’s impeachment, Mandetta would become Bolsonaro’s Minister of Health, with whom he had differences regarding the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. He would be dismissed in April 2020, giving way to Nelson Teich.
‘, TIRIRICA, TIRIRICA…’
Cunha barely managed to hide his laughter when calling Tiririca (PR-SP). Contrary to what was imagined, the comedian, known for his stint on the SBT program “A Praça É Nossa”, was succinct and did not make jokes. “Mr. President, for my country, my vote is yes.” Those around, however, couldn’t stand it. The deputies created an uproar, singing the chant “Tiririca, Tiririca, Tiririca…”
