Brazil: Ruling party looks for new leaders

BRASILIA, Brazil, July 7 (UPI) -- Brazil's ruling Workers' Party, or PT, is looking for substitutes for the two leaders who stepped down this week during an ongoing corruption scandal.

PT Treasurer Delubio Soares and Secretary-General Silvio Pereira resigned this week amid congressional hearings about an alleged bribery scheme in which lawmakers would be paid for their support on key congressional votes.

Though PT denies the allegations, the ill-effects of the scandal continue to dog the administration.

In June, Lula's chief of staff and trusted adviser, Jose Dirceu, stepped aside. Many analysts speculate PT party president Jose Genoino will likely resign his post next.