Brazil's Tourism minister resigned late Wednesday amid a long-brewing corruption scandal, marking the fifth cabinet-level official to step down from President Dilma Rousseff's nine-month-old government since June.
Thousands of people have joined anti-corruption demonstrations in Brazil, as the country marked on Wednesday its Independence Day. Wearing face paint and clown noses, protesters joined crowds watching the traditional military parade in the capital, Brasilia. Similar protests were held in other cities across Brazil.
Two further headaches for embattled Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff who in eight months of government has seen four ministers and two deputy ministers step down under serious suspicions of corruption.
Another Brazilian minister, and particularly close to President Dilma Rousseff has been targeted by the Sunday edition of a Sao Paulo magazine with national circulation. According to the report Communications minister Paulo Bernardo has been using the private jet of a major public contractor of the Brazilian government.
Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff reached out to political allies to stem a growing rebellion within her coalition after the resignation of a fourth minister threatened to further tense already strained relations.
Brazilian Agriculture minister Wagener Rossi resigned to his post Wednesday following revelations of irregularities in his office thus becoming the fourth minister to step down, in eight months, of President Dilma Rousseff administration.
One of the smallest parties from the Brazilian ruling coalition has stepped down with “no hard feelings” and will now adopt a ‘critical support’ attitude towards the administration of President Dilma Rousseff.
Brazil’s federal Police arrested on Tuesday Deputy Tourism Minister in a corruption sweep tied to funding for major sports events, the latest in a series of scandals to tarnish President Dilma Rousseff’s government.
Brazil's transport minister became the latest top official to quit because of corruption allegations, adding to the recent struggles of President Dilma Rousseff's six-month-old government.
Four of the top officials in Brazil's Transportation Ministry have been temporarily suspended from their posts after a magazine reported on fraud they allegedly committed in several bidding contests on public works.