Controversial Brazilian Congressman Eduardo Cunha resigned Thursday as Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies. He will continue to hold his seat in congress, however. Cunha was forced into a leave-of-absence as speaker by a Supreme Court decision in May. He resigned as speaker Thursday saying it was necessary for the chamber “to end a period of leadership uncertainty.” During his leave of absence, unpopular Deputy Speaker Waldyr Maranhão has presided over sessions. The chamber is now free to elect a new speaker to fill out Cunha’s original term, which expires at the end of the year. Cunha was forced to take leave because of a police investigation into alleged bribe-taking and money laundering. At the same time, Cunha also faced a congressional ethics investigation. In his statement Thursday, Cunha proclaimed his innocence of all corruption charges.
Link to government news agency release
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