Brazil's Lula on verge of joining government: sources

March 15, 2016 21:07

Brazil's ex-president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is about to join the government of his embattled protege and successor Dilma Rousseff, administration sources said, as both seek to save their political lives.

"There are two possibilities for Lula in the government: chief of staff or cabinet secretary," an administration source told AFP, saying the former president would travel to Brasilia Monday or Tuesday to discuss his options with Rousseff in person.

Speculation had swirled in recent days that such a move was imminent, as both Lula and Rousseff's political stars waned.

He is facing charges in a case linked to a massive corruption scandal, and she faces an impeachment drive, a deep recession and mass protests.

If confirmed, the move would spare Lula from facing trial in ordinary court over money-laundering charges tied to the multi-billion-dollar scandal at state oil giant Petrobras.

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