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Lula ally faces Senate expulsion Lula ally avoids Senate expulsion
(about 9 hours later)
Brazil's Senate is due to vote on whether to expel its president following a lengthy corruption scandal. Brazil's Senate has narrowly rejected a proposal to expel its president following a lengthy corruption scandal.
Renan Calheiros, an ally of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, has denied accepting bribes from a lobbyist. The Senate voted 40 to 35 with six abstentions to absolve Renan Calheiros in a secret vote.
Mr Calheiros, an ally of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, has denied accepting bribes from a lobbyist in exchange for government contracts.
However, he has admitted using the lobbyist to pass on child support payments to his former mistress.However, he has admitted using the lobbyist to pass on child support payments to his former mistress.
It comes weeks after it was decided that 40 people, including high-ranking officials, should face charges over an illegal fund-raising scheme. Mr Calheiros successfully fought for the vote to be held behind closed doors in hope that he could more easily win support from fellow senators.
Resolution The BBC correspondent in Sao Paulo, Gary Duffy, reports the tension surrounding the vote was such that outside the chamber a scuffle broke out between deputies from the lower house of Congress and security officials. Amid chaotic scenes, one congresswoman was said to have been kicked and the acting president of Senate was punched, he adds.
The Senate Ethics Committee has ruled that Mr Calheiros "violated parliamentary decorum". The vote comes weeks after it was decided that 40 people, including high-ranking officials, should face charges over an illegal fund-raising scheme.
If the senators vote against him, Mr Calheiros will be expelled and could be barred from holding public office for eight years. Presidential ally
Resignation makes no sense. It would be a lack of respect for the country, for the Senate Renan Calheiros
Mr Calheiros has denied accepting bribes from the Mendes Junior construction company, and said it was his own money that its lobbyist passed on to his former mistress.Mr Calheiros has denied accepting bribes from the Mendes Junior construction company, and said it was his own money that its lobbyist passed on to his former mistress.
Renan Calheiros (L) is a staunch ally of President Lula de Silva (R)
However, the admission prompted questions about how he was able to afford generous contributions on a salary of just over $6,000 (£2,970) a month.However, the admission prompted questions about how he was able to afford generous contributions on a salary of just over $6,000 (£2,970) a month.
Mr Calheiros said he had income from a number of farms, although several people said to be his customers told Brazilian TV they had never done business with him.Mr Calheiros said he had income from a number of farms, although several people said to be his customers told Brazilian TV they had never done business with him.
Mr Calheiros has dismissed calls for him to resign, saying: "I have fought for 120 days... to prove my truth, my innocence. Resignation makes no sense. It would be a lack of respect for the country, for the Senate." He has dismissed calls for him to resign, saying: "I have fought for 120 days... to prove my truth, my innocence. Resignation makes no sense. It would be a lack of respect for the country, for the Senate."
The president has always denied knowledge of any corruption schemes, and has retained his personal popularity. The Brazilian president has always denied knowledge of any corruption schemes, and has retained his personal popularity.
Mr Lula has indicated, however, that he thought the case of Mr Calheiros, who had been an important ally, needed to be resolved. Mr Lula has indicated, however, that he thought the case of Mr Calheiros, who had been an important ally, needed to be resolved, as the controversy threatened to undermine important legislation.
Even though he survived Wednesday's vote, Mr Calheiros could face three other investigations requested by opposition parties.