Brazilian President Michel Temer is the subject of a hearing by Brazil's top electoral court for allegations of illegal campaign funding. The allegations go back to the 2014 presidential campaign ticket, which he shared with Dilma Rousseff.

It's been less than a year since Brazil's Parliament impeached and removed President Dilma Rousseff from power, on charges of mismanagement of public funds. She was then replaced by Temer, who was Vice-President at the time. 

Now it's the future of Temer's government that is at stake as the country's Superior Elections Court holds a trial to establish whether the Rousseff-Temer ticket received illegal donations for their 2014 campaign. If found guilty, Temer would also be removed from power, and a new president would be chosen indirectly by the Congress to serve the remainder of his term until 2018. 

Temer's defense argues that despite being on the same ticket as Rousseff, their campaign donations were treated separately. But the head of the electoral law committee of Brazil's Bar Association in San Paulo says both politicians carry the same degree of responsibility.

The political situation in Brazil remains extremely volatile and divisive. Temer faces high disapproval ratings over his reform plans to lead Brazil out of its deep recession, especially over his attempt to cut pensions. Still, many analysts say another leadership crisis will only likely add to Brazil's instability.