Brazil Senate chairman meets with former President Lula

Senate President Renan Calheiros received former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva this Tuesday (Apr. 26), in Brasília. Lula did not talk to the press after the meeting, but Calheiros said he is "concerned about the events unfolding of the political process and the crisis" Brazil is facing. According to him, the former president did not address the proposal being discussed in the Senate calling new elections for president and vice-president in October this year.

"I reaffirmed to Lula the Senate's historical role and that the Senate President's exempt position is unremovable, because he is responsible for judging [President Dilma Rousseff's impeachment]. It will surely be a political decision, but we will also consider the merits concerning the alleged commitment of a crime of responsibility," said Calheiros.

He said that he is convinced that his role should include conversations with all the "actors of this political crisis" and that "the conversation only will not make it fall into pieces."

Translated by Amarílis Anchieta