Lula’s Top Aide Quits Amid Bribery Scandal

Brazilian Cabinet chief Jose Dirceu resigned as the worst scandal to hit the government of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva claimed its first victim.

The opposition had been calling for Dirceu, widely considered to be Lula’s second-in-command, to resign since the ruling Workers’ Party was accused last week of paying bribes to lawmakers to ensure their support.

Dirceu was credited with shifting the Workers’ Party to the center from the left, securing its 2002 election win. He ran or was involved in all four of Lula’s presidential campaigns. He said he would resume his post as a lower-house deputy.