Brazil Political crisis: Minister José Dirceu leaves the government
Thursday, June 16, 2005
The Brazilian Minister of Civil Affairs José Dirceu announced this evening his resignation from the government of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
During his discourse José Dirceu said that he will return to his earlier position as a representative in the national congress allied with the Workers Party. He said that he will defend the government against those "who want to interrupt the democratic process and want to destabilize the government of president Lula". He said that he is leaving with "clean hands", "a heart without bitterness" and with "a raised head".
Dirceu is the victim of a serious political crisis in Brazil because of accusations of governmental corruption. Dirceu was one of the most important ministers in President Lula's government.
The crisis worsened after declarations of Roberto Jefferson, president of the PTB, a party allied with the PT. This Tuesday, Jefferson said to a Congressional Commission that minister José Dirceu and the President of the Workers' Party, José Genoíno, were involved in the payment of bribes to Brazilian congressional representatives.
Related news
edit- "Lula's future in the hands of Brazilian Parliament" — Wikinews, June 12, 2005
- "New denunciations of political corruption create severe political crisis in Brazil" — Wikinews, June 6, 2005
- "Corruption endangers Brazilian government" — Wikinews, May 29, 2005
Sources
edit- "Brazil: Chief of staff resigns" — UPI, June 17, 2005
- "Brazil's cabinet chief of staff resigns" — Agencies, China Daily, June 17, 2005
- Eraldo Peres. "Brazil's Cabinet Chief of Staff Resigns Amid Vote-Buying Scandal" — AP, June 16, 2005
- "Íntegra do discurso de José Dirceu" — Partido dos Trabalhadores, June 16, 2005
- Nelson Motta e Ana Paula Marra. "José Dirceu anuncia afastamento da Casa Civil" — Radiobras, June 16, 2005
- Fabíola Salvador. "José Dirceu pede demissão" — O Estado de São Paulo, June 16, 2005
- Ana Paula Ribeiro. "Após escândalo do "mensalão, José Dirceu deixa ministério da Casa Civil" — Folha de São Paulo, June 16, 2005
- Nelson Motta and Ana Paula Marra. "Official: Brazil aide to quit amid scandal" — Reuters, June 14, 2005