The long-planned day of nationwide demonstrations kicked off in the capital Brasilia and Rio de Janeiro, with the nation's biggest city Sao Paulo due to start later.
Protesters, many wearing the yellow shirts of the country's beloved football team, said a huge investigation known as Operation Car Wash must not let up in intensity.
With the number of politicians targeted by the probe rapidly increasing -- reportedly including around half a dozen members of President Michel Temer's cabinet -- there is pressure in Congress to try and slow Car Wash down.
"We're supporting Car Wash. It's an operation that must go all the way," said Teresa Kohler, 51, who was in Rio helping to organize the demonstration with the group Take to the Streets.
"We must punish the corrupt, make a real clean up and build a new Brazil."
Compared to similar demonstrations over the last two years, today's event got off to a slow start.
There were hundreds gathered early in Brasilia and several thousand in Rio on the iconic Copacabana beachfront.
Analysts say Brazilians weighed down by the country's worst recession in history may be starting to tire of the seemingly endless anti-corruption drive.
The probe got even bigger this month with a request by Prosecutor General Rodrigo Janot to open new investigations expected to target more than 100 politicians.
And a week ago Brazilians got a shock on a new front when police said they'd uncovered a scheme to bribe corrupt health inspectors at meatpacking plants to certify tainted meat.
The revelation prompted several big markets, including China, to impose brief, but damaging import bans.
Lawmakers have attempted to pass legislation that would pardon anyone who had received undeclared campaign donations in the past, while making it illegal in the future.
This would effectively become an amnesty for politicians who took secret donations or what may have been plain bribes.
Another initiative being discussed is to change the electoral system so that voters cast ballots for parties, not individual candidates, meaning that scandal-tainted politicians would be able to escape much of voters' direct anger.
The result is an ever-widening divide between politicians and voters.
Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content
You’ve reached your limit of {{free_limit}} free articles this month.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
Already subscribed? Log in
Subscribe to read the full story →
Smart Quarterly
₹900
3 Months
₹300/Month
Smart Essential
₹2,700
1 Year
₹225/Month
Super Saver
₹3,900
2 Years
₹162/Month
Renews automatically, cancel anytime
Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans
Exclusive premium stories online
Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors


Complimentary Access to The New York Times
News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic
Business Standard Epaper
Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share


Curated Newsletters
Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox
Market Analysis & Investment Insights
In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor


Archives
Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997
Ad-free Reading
Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements


Seamless Access Across All Devices
Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app
