In a shake-up with political implications, Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff on Monday accepted the resignation of her Justice Minister, shifting him to the sensitive but less visible post of Solicitor-General. Justice Minister José Eduardo Cardozo resigned earlier Monday without making an official statement. He served in the post since 2011. President Rousseff, in a press release, announced his reassignment as Solicitor-General. She also announced his replacement as Justice Minister with Bahia state prosecutor Wellington Cesar Lima e Silva, a political ally of Rousseff’s Chief-of-Staff, former Bahia Governor Jaques Wagner. Cardozo resigned after suffering a months-long political siege. Members of the ruling PT (Partido dos Trabalhadores) have publicly criticized him for allowing Federal Police to launch a broad investigation into allegations of corruption involving party leaders. Cardozo responded by saying the Federal Police, although nominally subordinated to the Justice Ministry, are essentially independent in the management of their operations. According to press reports, Lima e Silva may take a more active hand in managing the Federal Police investigation, including re-assignment of key Federal Police leaders.
Link to government news agency release
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