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Senate head defends Brazilian president against accusation of influence peddling

Xinhua, November 26, 2016 Adjust font size:

Brazil's Senate leader Renan Calheiros defended Friday President Michel Temer against accusations of influence peddling in the government.

Calheiros also called for union in Temer's administration. Calherios' move came after former Culture Minister Marcelo Calero resigned last week.

Calero accused Secretary of Government Geddel Vieira Lima of pressuring him to authorize a real estate project embargoed by historical protection agency Iphan under the Culture Ministry as it is located at a historical preservation area.

Lima, who had a vested interest in it, bought an apartment in the future residential building.

Calero also said Temer admonished him for causing trouble in the cabinet and intervened to favor Lima.

Earlier this week, Calero reportedly provided recordings of his conversations with both Lima and Temer to the federal police.

Although mainstream media has been treading carefully -- a significant change from the aggressive stance about recorded conversations of Temer's predecessor, Dilma Rousseff, who was impeached in August -- the case may have serious consequences for the president.

When the accusation came up, Temer said Lima would remain in the administration, but earlier on Friday the Secretary of Government announced his resignation.

Lima has been the sixth cabinet member to go since Temer took office. Endi