Brazil's Senate lends its weight to fight against corruption

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff scored a key victory on Monday when, for the first time in the history of Brazilian democracy, the Senate lent its support to an anti-corruption campaign.

Senators from across the political spectrum banded together to back the president's campaign, which has so far cost the seven-month-old government three Cabinet ministers and dozens of high-ranking officials.

At the risk of losing the backing of key parties, which the president needs in order to push through economic reforms, and in particular that of the PMDB - the main party in Rousseff's coalition government, which holds the vice-presidency and controls the Senate - Rousseff has taken a tough stance against the corruption and nepotism that formed part of the mensalao system (benefits in exchange for political support) practiced by the government of her predecessor and patron, Lula da Silva.

On Monday, however, PMDB Senator Pedro Simon headed a movement to support the president, with a dozen other senators from various parties following suit.

Cristovam Buarque of the leftwing PTB, one of Brazil's most influential political figures, said: "This is about empowering President Rousseff so that she is able to create an ethical government with moral integrity. We plan to stand up today and say, Madam President, you can count on us."

Rousseff's campaign has also garnered widespread popular support among Brazilians.