World Bulletin / News Desk
Rousseff delivered the bundle of anti-corruption measures symbolically at a ceremony held at the presidential Planalto Palace.
"We are a government that does not compromise on corruption ... This is a decisive step to increase the government's ability and power to prevent and combat corruption and impunity," she said.
The plans include the expansion of the so-called "Ficha Limpa" law until that will now require all government officials to have a clean criminal record, as well as the criminalization of unregulated electoral campaign slush funds, known as "Caixa dois," and the seizure of assets of those convicted of corruption.
The president said the move was "in line with her personal and political life, and actions taken as president" but warned that "aside from these laws, a new conscience is required; a new culture in the country" which needed to be "born in every citizen's household, school, heart and soul."
All the measures, which were part of the president's 2014 campaign pledge, had either been previously mooted or are already being processed by government.
The announcement came on the same day that a survey by the Datafolha polling institute showed Rousseff’s approval rating had slumped to its worst-ever level.
The surveyed of 2,842 registered voters on the two days following Sunday's mass protests found 13 percent of respondents evaluated the president as "good" or "excellent." In early February, 23 percent held this view.
Some 62 percent of those surveyed said Rousseff was "bad" or "terrible." Six weeks ago it stood at 44 percent.
The survey showed Rousseff's popularity had dwindled even among the poorest in society, traditionally stoically supportive of the president.
Güncelleme Tarihi: 19 Mart 2015, 11:22