Thousands of protesters across Brazil called for President Jair Bolsonaro's removal Saturday, one day after a judge authorized opening an investigation into him over an alleged COVID-19 vaccine procurement scheme, per the Guardian.
Why it matters: The pandemic has killed almost 524,000 people in Brazil amid a slow vaccine rollout. This investigation, along with a Senate probe, may hurt Bolsonaro's re-election chances next year and could hamper his "ability to serve out the remainder of his term," the New York Times notes.
An anti-Bolsonaro protest in Brasilia on July 3. "The president has been implicated in allegations of irregularities surrounding a 1.6 billion reais ($316 million) contract signed in February for 20 million doses with a Brazilian intermediary for the vaccine's maker, Bharat Biotech," Reuters reports. Photo: Sergio Lima/AFP via Getty Images
A woman holds a sign depicting Bolsonaro on a dollar bill during a protest in downtown Rio de Janeiro on July 3. Photo: Andre Borges/AFP via Getty Images
People at the anti-Bolsonaro demonstration in Brasilia on July 3. Photo: Sergio Lima/AFP via Getty Images
A man dressed as the Brazilian vaccine symbol takes part in a demonstration against Bolsonaro in Sao Paulo, on July 3. Photo: Miguel Schincariol/AFP via Getty Images
The scene at the anti-Bolsonaro protest in downtown Rio de Janeiro on July 3. Photo: Andre Borges/AFP via Getty Images