Lula to become chief of staff, said Workers' Party leader in lower house

Deputy Afonso Florence, Workers' Party (PT) leader in the lower house, has just announced that former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will take office as chief of staff, replacing Jaques Wagner.

On Tuesday (Mar. 15) evening, Lula attended a meeting with President Dilma Rousseff at Palácio da Alvorada, the presidential office, and it lasted more than four hours. Wednesday (Mar. 16) morning, the former president met the president again. Former Chief of Staff Jaques Wagner, Finance Minister Nelson Barbosa, and Education Minister Aloizio Mercadante also attended the meeting.

Since yesterday, the possibility of appointing former President Lula as minister in Rousseff's cabinet has sparked controversy among pro- and anti-government lawmakers. PT members support the initiative because of the former president's political skills, while the opposition considered the possibility as an attempt to protect himself from probes under Operation Car Wash.

Translated by Amarílis Anchieta