This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-35820671
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 6 | Version 7 |
|---|---|
| Brazil's Lula to be President Rousseff's chief of staff | Brazil's Lula to be President Rousseff's chief of staff |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff has appointed her predecessor Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva as her new chief of staff. | Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff has appointed her predecessor Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva as her new chief of staff. |
| The move shields Lula from possible prosecution by a federal judge investigating a massive corruption scandal named Operation Car Wash. | The move shields Lula from possible prosecution by a federal judge investigating a massive corruption scandal named Operation Car Wash. |
| The move sparked protests in several cities by those angry at the decision. | The move sparked protests in several cities by those angry at the decision. |
| But Ms Rousseff said that protecting Lula from prosecution was not the motivation for the appointment. | But Ms Rousseff said that protecting Lula from prosecution was not the motivation for the appointment. |
| "Lula's arrival in my government strengthens it and there are people who don't want it to be stronger." | "Lula's arrival in my government strengthens it and there are people who don't want it to be stronger." |
| Under Brazilian law, cabinet members can only be tried by the Supreme Court. | Under Brazilian law, cabinet members can only be tried by the Supreme Court. |
| On 4 March, Lula was briefly detained and questioned over allegations of money laundering connected to Operation Car Wash, a massive investigation into corruption at the state oil giant, Petrobras. | On 4 March, Lula was briefly detained and questioned over allegations of money laundering connected to Operation Car Wash, a massive investigation into corruption at the state oil giant, Petrobras. |
| He denies the allegations and says they are aimed at preventing him from running for president again in 2018. | He denies the allegations and says they are aimed at preventing him from running for president again in 2018. |
| In a taped telephone conversation released by the judge overseeing the investigation, Ms Rousseff offered to send Lula a copy of his appointment "in case of necessity" - interpreted by some as meaning in case he needed it to avoid arrest. | In a taped telephone conversation released by the judge overseeing the investigation, Ms Rousseff offered to send Lula a copy of his appointment "in case of necessity" - interpreted by some as meaning in case he needed it to avoid arrest. |
| Lula in the spotlight | |
| Hours after the announcement of Lula's appointment, protesters gathered outside the Presidential Palace in Brasilia and in at least three other cities. | Hours after the announcement of Lula's appointment, protesters gathered outside the Presidential Palace in Brasilia and in at least three other cities. |
| "I'm tired. I'm not the police; I'm a Brazilian who is tired of so much corruption," one protester in Brasilia told Reuters. | "I'm tired. I'm not the police; I'm a Brazilian who is tired of so much corruption," one protester in Brasilia told Reuters. |
| In Congress, opposition politicians gathered around a microphone during a chaotic session and chanted "resignation". | In Congress, opposition politicians gathered around a microphone during a chaotic session and chanted "resignation". |
| Ms Rousseff says the appointment is due to Lula being a "skilful political negotiator" and experienced leader who will help kick off economic recovery. | Ms Rousseff says the appointment is due to Lula being a "skilful political negotiator" and experienced leader who will help kick off economic recovery. |
| During his time in office, the Brazilian economy experienced unprecedented economic growth and wealth redistribution. | During his time in office, the Brazilian economy experienced unprecedented economic growth and wealth redistribution. |
| "I believe [former] President Lula, who was in charge of the country for eight years, cannot have his reputation destroyed in this manner," added Ms Rousseff. | "I believe [former] President Lula, who was in charge of the country for eight years, cannot have his reputation destroyed in this manner," added Ms Rousseff. |
| Fight against impeachment | Fight against impeachment |
| Lula and other ministers appointed on Wednesday are expected to be sworn in at 10:00 local time (13:00 GMT) on Thursday. | Lula and other ministers appointed on Wednesday are expected to be sworn in at 10:00 local time (13:00 GMT) on Thursday. |
| As chief of staff, Lula is expected to lead the fight against moves in Congress to impeach President Rousseff over allegations she manipulated Brazil's account books to hide a growing deficit. | As chief of staff, Lula is expected to lead the fight against moves in Congress to impeach President Rousseff over allegations she manipulated Brazil's account books to hide a growing deficit. |
| Analysts say President Rousseff is hoping that Lula will use his political nous and influence with members of Congress to block impeachment proceedings. | Analysts say President Rousseff is hoping that Lula will use his political nous and influence with members of Congress to block impeachment proceedings. |
| The two politicians have been close for decades. Lula was Ms Rousseff's political mentor and she is his hand-picked successor. | The two politicians have been close for decades. Lula was Ms Rousseff's political mentor and she is his hand-picked successor. |
| Lula: 'Man of the people' | Lula: 'Man of the people' |