There were protests on Sunday in several Brazilian states against the government of President Michel Temer, following allegations he took bribes from a government contractor, prompting a Supreme Court investigation.

CGTN’s Paulo Cabral followed anti-Temer protests in Brazil.

The rallies were called by trade unions and left wing activist groups, who want an end to Temer’s government, new elections and a halt to pension and labor law reforms.

“This is a shame for our country. Brazil’s bleeding with corruption and now it’s clear it’s reached the highest office of the country,” Eduardo Anunciado, President of the Electricity Workers Union, said.

Despite the political turmoil in Brazil, turnout for Sunday’s protests was lower than for previous rallies – attracting from a few hundred to a few thousand people each.

In Sao Paulo, the rain was a problem for the organizers of the rally. But those who came admit there are other reasons behind the low turnout.

“I think many people are under the impression that protesting is useless because all politicians are the same,” a protester said.

The relatively small size of the demonstrations may serve as some encouragement for president Temer but it does not mean the political crisis is over.

While his government no longer seems on the verge of collapse, as some feared last week – the president still faces a tough struggle to retain his support base in Parliament and reach the end of his term.