Brazil congress speaker Cunha resigns amid impeachment scandalJuly 8, 2016 - 10:59 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The controversial Brazilian politician who led the impeachment process against President Dilma Rousseff, Eduardo Cunha, has resigned from his post as speaker of the lower house of Congress, BBC News reports. In a tearful news conference, Cunha said he was paying a high price for starting the process. He was suspended from his post shortly after Congress voted to open an impeachment trial against Rousseff. He has been accused of taking bribes from the state oil company Petrobras. Prosecutors say he diverted millions of dollars to his personal accounts in Switzerland. He denied holding any bank account abroad and is now facing the prospect of being expelled from the Chamber of Deputies for lying to Congress. In a recent interview with weekly magazine Carta Capital, Rousseff described Cunha as Brazil's most powerful man. He was suspended in May from the post of speaker of the lower house of Congress by the Supreme Court. The ruling has led to weeks of deadlock in Congress, as his supporters boycotted the interim speaker, Waldir Maranhao. They have blocked crucial votes, virtually paralysing the new government of interim President Michel Temer. "Only my resignation can put an end to this endless instability. The lower house cannot bear to wait forever," he told journalists. "I am paying a high price for having started the impeachment proceedings." A congressional committee recommended last month that Cunha is expelled from the lower house and banned from politics for eight years. A vote is expected to be held next month. If he is expelled from the legislature, he will lose his current immunity from prosecution. His opponents say the resignation as speaker may be part of a wider agreement to save his political future. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. Armenia, Russia discuss life extension of Metsamor nuclear plant Issues regarding the extension of life of the 2nd power unit of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant were discussed in Yerevan. Armenians stage more campaigns against territorial concessions to Azerbaijan Protesters blocked more roads across Armenia on Friday, April 26 in continuing attempts to scuttle territorial concessions to Azerbaijan. |