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Brazil's Lula sacks campaign boss Brazil's Lula sacks campaign boss
(about 8 hours later)
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has replaced his re-election campaign chief, Ricardo Berzoini, amid ongoing allegations of dirty tricks.Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has replaced his re-election campaign chief, Ricardo Berzoini, amid ongoing allegations of dirty tricks.
The departure of Mr Berzoini, who is also president of the governing Workers' Party (PT), comes just 11 days before the presidential election.The departure of Mr Berzoini, who is also president of the governing Workers' Party (PT), comes just 11 days before the presidential election.
The Workers' Party is accused of trying to link the opposition to corruption.The Workers' Party is accused of trying to link the opposition to corruption.
President Lula and Mr Berzoini are among those facing investigation by Brazil's electoral court.President Lula and Mr Berzoini are among those facing investigation by Brazil's electoral court.
The affair came to light last Friday, when two men closely linked to the PT were arrested in Sao Paulo, in possession of almost $800,000 (£420,000) in cash.The affair came to light last Friday, when two men closely linked to the PT were arrested in Sao Paulo, in possession of almost $800,000 (£420,000) in cash.
The police believe the sum was to have paid for a dossier containing corruption allegations against rival politicians.The police believe the sum was to have paid for a dossier containing corruption allegations against rival politicians.
'Bloodsuckers scandal''Bloodsuckers scandal'
The sensitive information allegedly linked opposition politicians to the so-called 'bloodsuckers scandal' - a corruption scam in which state health authorities were overcharged for ambulances, with politicians receiving kickbacks. The sensitive information allegedly linked opposition politicians to the so-called "bloodsuckers scandal" - a corruption scam in which state health authorities were overcharged for ambulances, with politicians receiving kickbacks.
As PT president, Mr Berzoini denied detailed knowledge of the dossier. But he did admit to authorising others to make contact with journalists, with a view to publishing election stories.As PT president, Mr Berzoini denied detailed knowledge of the dossier. But he did admit to authorising others to make contact with journalists, with a view to publishing election stories.
That was enough for President Lula to want to be rid of him. A brief statement from President Lula's campaign office gave no reason for Mr Berzoini's departure but praised his "important work" for the campaign.
Mr Berzoini's replacement as campaign manager is Marco Aurelio Garcia, a former presidential adviser on foreign policy. Mr Berzoini's replacement is Marco Aurelio Garcia, a former presidential adviser on foreign policy.
Coming at the end of a day of emergency meetings in Brasilia, the removal of Mr Berzoini is doubly significant. The BBC's Steve Kingstone in Sao Paulo says the removal of Mr Berzoini is doubly significant.
First, it indicates how serious this late-breaking campaign scandal has become. Second, it suggests President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva wants to distance himself from his own Workers Party in the final days before polling. First, it indicates how serious this late-breaking campaign scandal has become. Second, it suggests President Lula wants to distance himself from his own Workers' Party in the final days before polling, he says.
Opinion pollsOpinion polls
Will the change of personnel draw a line under the affair? Probably not. The change of personnel is unlikely to draw a line under the affair. For the first time in this campaign, Brazil's opposition parties scent blood, our correspondent says.
President Lula and Mr Berzoini are among those still under investigation by Brazil's federal electoral court - as is Freud Godoy, a former presidential aide who resigned on Monday after being linked to the corruption dossier.President Lula and Mr Berzoini are among those still under investigation by Brazil's federal electoral court - as is Freud Godoy, a former presidential aide who resigned on Monday after being linked to the corruption dossier.
For the first time in this campaign, Brazil's opposition parties scent blood.
They are demanding to know where the $800,000 - a mixture of Brazil and American currency - came from, and who ultimately gave orders for the purchase of the dossier.They are demanding to know where the $800,000 - a mixture of Brazil and American currency - came from, and who ultimately gave orders for the purchase of the dossier.
Crucially, all parties are now watching the opinion polls to see whether this scandal will eat into President Lula's substantial lead. All parties are now watching the opinion polls to see whether this scandal will eat into President Lula's substantial lead.
Recent polls have indicated 50% support for Lula, which would secure him victory in the first round of voting on 1 October.Recent polls have indicated 50% support for Lula, which would secure him victory in the first round of voting on 1 October.