Brazil gets three new Cabinet ministers

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has appointed three ministers amid an ongoing corruption scandal that has already claimed several key leaders.

Last week Lula shuffled his three Cabinet positions and this week the president chose to replace the ministers of communications, science and political strategy, O Globo reported Wednesday.

The appointments occurred during the Lula administration's darkest hour since the president assumed office in January 2003.

A former ally to Lula has accused the government of bribing lawmakers to support key votes in the Congress. Though the Lula administration denied the allegations three of its leaders stepped down including the president's chief of staff.

Despite the accusations, the administration's approval rating improved from May to July, a poll release this week indicated.

(Font: Web India 123, July 14, 2005)

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