Brazil Senate head Renan Calheiros' suspension rejected
Brazil Senate head Renan Calheiros' suspension rejected
7 December 2016
Brazil's Supreme Court has rejected a decision to suspend the Senate president, who has been indicted for alleged embezzlement.
Renan Calheiros defied an earlier injunction by judge Marco Aurelio Mello, who said his position was untenable after the court ruled that he must face trial.
But the court voted to strip him from being in line for the presidency.
His removal could have derailed a government austerity plan.
The controversial proposal, known as PEC-55, is scheduled to go to the Senate before the end of the year.
The legislation includes big spending cuts and is a key part of President Michel Temer's plan to control the budget deficit and revive the country's economy.
Mr Calheiros' suspension would have left the leadership of the Senate in the hands of a leftist senator whose Workers' Party opposes the plan.
More:
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-38244348