Brazil's answer to political correctness

[emad]

By Jan Rocha
BBC News, Brazil


The annual election of the chairman of the chamber of deputies, the main house of the Brazilian congress, is usually straightforward. But this year, to everyone's surprise, a virtually unknown and controversial 74-year-old called Severino Cavalcanti, from a small populist right-wing party, emerged as the new chairman.

Severino Cavalcanti is known for his controversial behaviour
Traditionally the post of chairman of the congress goes to the ruling party, in this case the PT or Workers Party.

But the party was split between two candidates, and the result was the surprise election of an almost unknown outsider, a member of what's called the baixo clero - the lower clergy - the silent majority of backbenchers who do little to distinguish themselves.

Instead of an earnest PT deputy bent on moralising parliamentary practice, congress found itself with the elderly, idiosyncratic, often outrageous, Severino Cavalcanti.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/4441773.stm

[Squeech]

1. Can't open this link

Does this give the guy any actual authority? Is he going to try to impeach Lula or something?

[emad]

2. Sorry, try this:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/4441773.stm