SAO PAULO — Former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva believes his embattled successor Dilma Rousseff can survive the mounting pressure in Congress for her impeachment.
Silva told international journalists in Sao Paulo on Monday that Rousseff can resist even if junior partner PMDB party leaves the Cabinet in a Tuesday meeting.
If Rousseff is impeached for breaking fiscal laws, PMDB president and Brazil’s Vice President Michel Temer will take over.
Silva has said he will talk to Temer and other politicians in Brasilia to help now unpopular Rousseff keep her job.
The former president insisted that he doesn’t want to be “an intruder” in government and denied claims he joined the government to avoid arrest on corruption charges.
Silva also said Brazil’s democracy is at risk if impeachment is approved.