Key facts
- Senator Jaques Wagner resigned as the government's leader in the Senate.
- Wagner is under investigation as part of a probe into allegations involving Daniel Vorcaro, owner of the defunct Banco Master.
- The investigation centers on claims that Vorcaro used his money and influence to cultivate political support.
- Wagner's resignation is seen as a high-profile casualty of the widening corruption investigation.
- The development poses new risks for President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva ahead of the October election.
Senator Jaques Wagner, a close ally of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, stepped down as the government's leader in the Senate on Wednesday. Wagner announced his resignation via a post on X, becoming another high-profile casualty of a widening corruption investigation. Brazilian authorities announced last week that Wagner was under investigation as part of a probe into allegations that Daniel Vorcaro, owner of the now defunct Banco Master, used his money and influence to cultivate support among prominent politicians. The development poses new risks for Lula ahead of the October election.