The Americas

Acting Brazil leader rebuffed by 2 unions post-impeachment

Associated Press
Published | Updated

In this Thursday, May 12, 2016 photo, Brazil's acting President Michel Temer addresses the nation in Planalto presidential palace in Brasilia, Brazil. Temer gathered his new team at the government headquarters following a chaotic day that saw the Senate vote suspending President Dilma Rousseff from office. "This is not a moment for celebrations, but one of profound reflection," he said. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana) (The Associated Press)

Brazil's acting President Michel Temer speaks during a meeting with trade unions, on the government's proposal for Social Security reform, at the Planalto Presidential Palace, in Brasilia, Brazil, Monday, May 16, 2016. Temer assumed the presidency last week after President Dilma Rousseff was impeached and suspended for allegedly employing accounting tricks to hide gaping deficits in the federal budget. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres) (The Associated Press)

A poster with the photo of Suspended Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff is seen at the Planalto Presidential Palace, during a meeting bewtween Brazil's acting President Michel Temer and trade unions, on the government's proposal for Social Security reform, at the Planalto Presidential Palace, in Brasilia, Brazil, Monday, May 16, 2016. Temer called for the unions to meet Monday to discuss reforms to the country's pension system. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres) (The Associated Press)

Two large unions in Brazil are refusing an invitation to meet with acting President Michel Temer, underscoring the challenges facing the new leader of Latin America's largest nation amid a divisive impeachment process.

Temer assumed the presidency last week after President Dilma Rousseff was impeached and suspended for allegedly employing accounting tricks to hide gaping deficits in the federal budget.

Temer called for the unions to meet Monday to discuss reforms to the country's pension system, something that analysts say is necessary to begin pulling Brazil from its worst recession since the 1930s.

Several unions say they'll attend Monday's meeting, but two major groups are holding out. One of them is the Central Workers union. It says it "won't recognize putschists as governors" and it calls for Rousseff's return.