BRASILIA: Brazilian President Michel Temer looked on track on Thursday to avoid trial over graft charges, after a committee of lawmakers recommended the accusations against him be shelved ahead of a congressional vote. But Brazil’s chief public prosecutor could still lodge new graft charges against Temer, who took over the presidency after Lula’s protegee Dilma Rousseff was impeached and ousted last year. Brazil’s full Chamber of Deputies is expected within days to vote on whether the Supreme Court should put Temer on trial. An audio recording also emerged of Temer apparently approving the payment of hush money to a jailed ally. For congress to approve a trial, two-thirds of the 513 deputies have to vote in favor.

Source: Manila Times July 14, 2017 04:30 UTC