BRASILIA, Sept. 26 (Xinhua) -- Brazil's Chamber of Deputies began Tuesday the hearing of the second charge lodged by the prosecutor-general against President Michel Temer for obstruction of justice and criminal association.
After two failed attempts on September 22 and 25, when a minimum quorum of members was not achieved, the lower chamber of Congress was finally able to begin its formal analysis of the charges.
As the president is only to be tried by the Chamber of Deputies, the Supreme Court has asked its members to authorize or reject the charges.
This is the second time this year it has been called on to do so. In August, the Chamber rejected charges of corruption against Temer, who was accused of taking bribes from meatpacking group JBS.
The new charges also stem from confessions made by JBS executives. The obstruction of justice stems from Temer allegedly asking JBS founder, Joesley and Wesley Batista, to bribe former Speaker Eduardo Cunha to keep silent about corrupt practices in the government.
The criminal association charge related to Temer being accused of leading a group of senior members of his party, the PMDB, in a widespread corruption ring.
In order for a trial against Temer to begin, a two-thirds majority of the Chamber of Deputies, or 342 out of 513 legislators, must approve the charges.
Chamber Speaker Rodrigo Maia estimates a vote will take place before the end of October.
