Read More... Brazil' acting President Michel Temer (Credit: AP/Eraldo Peres) Brazil is in the midst of its worst political crisis since the 1960s and possibly its most severe economic downturn in the last 100 years. The economy will not – and cannot – improve until the country emerges from the political chaos of the moment and puts into place strong and legitimate leadership. Most of the commentary on Brazil’s current crisis has focused on politics and economics.