Brazilians have protested in several cities against President Dilma Rousseff after she named her predecessor, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Chief of Staff.
- In the capital Brasilia, riot police fired pepper spray at protesters outside the presidential palace.
- Lula is currently being investigated in a major corruption scandal.
- Brazil’s leader, who is herself facing impeachment proceedings, defended the appointment. She said Lula was a “skillful political negotiator” and experienced leader who would help kick off economic recovery.
- Lula was briefly detained and questioned earlier this month over allegations of money laundering connected to Operation Car Wash, a massive investigation into corruption at the state oil giant, Petrobras.
- He denies the allegations, saying they are aimed at preventing him from running for president again in 2018.
The two politicians have been close for decades – Lula was Ms Rousseff’s political mentor and she is his hand-picked successor. During his time in office, the Brazilian economy experienced unprecedented economic growth and wealth redistribution.
About Lula
- In 1980 he founded the Workers’ Party (PT), the first major socialist party in Brazil’s history
- Elected president in 2002 at the fourth attempt and went on to serve two terms
- Pumped billions of dollars into social programmes such as Bolsa Familia that benefited tens of millions of Brazilians
