Brazil Minister Resigns Over Corruption Scandal

A prominent Brazilian minister accused of corruption has resigned, over a scandal which also involves President Michel Temer.

Geddel Vieira Lima, who was in charge of relations with Congress, was accused by a former minister of pressuring him to approve a property investment.

Mr Temer was also accused of trying to help Mr Lima. The president denies the allegations.

The crisis could be a blow to Mr Temer, who has vowed to fight corruption.

A spokeswoman for Brazil’s public prosecutor told Reuters news agency an investigation into Mr Temer may be launched.

Mr Lima is the fourth minister to leave the government under corruption allegations.

Former Culture Minister Marcelo Calero accused Mr Lima of pressuring him to allow the construction of luxury apartments in a historic district of Salvador, in the north-eastern state of Bahia.

The ministry vetoed the project on the grounds that the proposed building was on a heritage site.

Mr Calero, who resigned last week, told the police both the president and the minister had pressured him to overturn the decision.

Mr Lima bought a property there, where each apartment reportedly costs 2.6m reais ($760,000; £611,000).

Mr Temer admitted talking to Mr Calero about the issue.

Earlier this week, an ethics panel decided to open an investigation into Mr Lima over the allegations, before the president’s alleged involvement came to light.

Mr Temer came to power earlier this year, after former President Dilma Rousseff was impeached. She was accused of manipulating the budget, but maintained her innocence and said that her political opponents had carried out a “parliamentary coup”.

Mr Temer has since tried to maintain a stable government, but has been plagued with corruption allegations against his own PMDB party.

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(Via: CitiFM Online Ghana)