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Brazil centrists PMDB to vote on coalition exit Brazil's PMDB party quits ruling coalition
(about 3 hours later)
The largest party in Brazil's governing coalition, the PMDB, will decide later on Tuesday whether to pull out. The largest party in Brazil's governing coalition, the PMDB, has voted to pull out.
If it decides to quit the government, as many of its members say it will, it could hasten impeachment proceedings against President Dilma Rousseff. The centrist party called for an "immediate exit" from President Dilma Rousseff's government.
Opposition lawmakers want to remove Ms Rousseff over claims she manipulated accounts to hide a growing deficit. The move could hasten impeachment proceedings against President Rousseff, correspondents say.
The decision comes a day after tourism minister Henrique Eduardo Alves from the PMDB stood down. Opposition lawmakers want to remove Ms Rousseff over claims that she manipulated accounts to hide a growing deficit.
The decision comes a day after tourism minister Henrique Eduardo Alves from the PMDB - the Brazilian Democratic Movement Party - stood down.
'Goodbye''Goodbye'
Osmar Terra, a lawmaker from the PMDB (Brazilian Democratic Movement Party), said he had little doubt which way the vote would go. Speaking before the vote, Osmar Terra, a lawmaker from the PMDB, said he had little doubt which way the vote would go.
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What's gone wrong?What's gone wrong?
"It will be a goodbye to the government. We calculate we have a vote of more than 80% in favour of quitting [the government]," he said. "It will be a goodbye to the government," he said.
Analysts say a considerable number of lawmakers from the centrist PMDB have felt uneasy about their alliance with the left-wing Workers' Party for a while. Analysts say a considerable number of lawmakers from the PMDB have felt uneasy about their alliance with the left-wing Workers' Party for a while.
Their unease has been compounded by calls for Ms Rousseff's impeachment and a widening corruption scandal involving senior members in the Workers' Party.Their unease has been compounded by calls for Ms Rousseff's impeachment and a widening corruption scandal involving senior members in the Workers' Party.
The PMDB is headed by Michel Temer, Ms Rousseff's deputy, who would become president should she be removed.The PMDB is headed by Michel Temer, Ms Rousseff's deputy, who would become president should she be removed.
A vote to leave the coalition could prove highly detrimental to Ms Rousseff. The vote to leave the coalition could prove highly detrimental to Ms Rousseff.
The president needs one third of the members of the lower house of Congress to vote against her impeachment for the proceedings to be shelved.The president needs one third of the members of the lower house of Congress to vote against her impeachment for the proceedings to be shelved.
If the PMDB decides to quit, she could lose as many as 69 votes at once in the 513-member Chamber of Deputies. Without the PMDB, she could lose as many as 69 votes at once in the 513-member Chamber of Deputies.
Six PMDB lawmakers currently serving as ministers would have to resign or leave the party. Six PMDB lawmakers currently serving as ministers will have to resign or leave the party.
Another of Ms Rousseff's coalition partners, the centre-left Social Democratic Party (PSD) said it had given its lawmakers a free vote in any possible impeachment proceedings.Another of Ms Rousseff's coalition partners, the centre-left Social Democratic Party (PSD) said it had given its lawmakers a free vote in any possible impeachment proceedings.
Lula under pressureLula under pressure
On Monday, Ms Rousseff's mentor and predecessor in office, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, likened the moves to impeach her to a coup.On Monday, Ms Rousseff's mentor and predecessor in office, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, likened the moves to impeach her to a coup.
But Lula himself is under pressure.But Lula himself is under pressure.
The Supreme Court suspended his appointment as Ms Rousseff's chief of staff earlier this month and is due to take a final decision on the matter next week.The Supreme Court suspended his appointment as Ms Rousseff's chief of staff earlier this month and is due to take a final decision on the matter next week.
Opponents of the government said the president had given Lula the post so he could escape investigation and possible proceedings over allegations of money laundering.Opponents of the government said the president had given Lula the post so he could escape investigation and possible proceedings over allegations of money laundering.
Under Brazilian law, cabinet members can only be investigated by the Supreme Court, not by lower courts.Under Brazilian law, cabinet members can only be investigated by the Supreme Court, not by lower courts.
There have been mass protests demanding the impeachment of President Rousseff in cities like Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.There have been mass protests demanding the impeachment of President Rousseff in cities like Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.
But there have also been rallies in support of the government by those who say the president is the victim of a campaign to drive the Workers' Party from government.But there have also been rallies in support of the government by those who say the president is the victim of a campaign to drive the Workers' Party from government.