Brazil: Minister Geddel Vieira Lima resigns over real estate scandal

Geddel Vieira Lima, the minister in charge of relations with Congress, signed a letter of resignation following an accusation that he and the President had pressured another minister to approve a real estate project.

In the letter, Vieira Lima says given the “dimensions” the “criticisms” have gained, he felt compelled to resign. He praised Temer as “serious, ethical and agreeable.”

Continuing political turmoil

The latest scandal comes less than three months after former President Dilma Rousseff was impeached for breaking budgetary laws and Temer stepped in — fueling fears that the political turmoil and economic problems in Latin America’s biggest economy are far from over.

The scandal began after Marcelo Calero resigned as culture minister.

According to state-run Agencia Brasil, Calero told police that Vieira Lima had pressured him to lift prohibitions on a luxury real estate development that was being blocked by cultural heritage regulations. Vieira Lima had invested in the property.

Subsequently, Calero told police that President Temer had also pressured him on Vieira Lima’s behalf, according to Agencia Brasil.

Temer denies the allegations. His spokesman told Agencia Brasil that he did try to help resolve a dispute between his ministers.