Brazil President Won't Attend Olympic Closing Ceremonies: Officials

Michel Temer was booed during the opening ceremony

Interim President Michel Temer, who was loudly booed by Brazilians at the Olympics' opening ceremony, won't have to face the same jeering crowds when the games come to an end. 

His press office said Tuesday that he won't attend the closing ceremony, ending days of speculation after he told journalists last week that he should go. A presidential spokesperson told The Associated Press that it's not protocol for a head of state to attend the games' farewell. 

Some Brazilian media are taking Temer's absence as a diplomatic snub after Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said he would attend the closing ceremony to represent Tokyo, which is hosting the 2020 Summer Games. 

Temer has kept a low profile since taking over from the suspended President Dilma Rousseff in May. The closing ceremony Aug. 21 comes just a few days before the Brazilian senate is schedule to vote whether to impeach Rousseff. 

While Brazilians blame Rousseff for widespread corruption in her Workers' Party and for steering the economy into its deepest recession in decades, they haven't warmed to her replacement. From day one, the games have been marked by Brazilians bringing signs to venues reading "Fora Temer," a call for the removal of the politician who many accuse of trying to gain power he could never have obtained at the ballot box.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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