Brazil justice minister quits to run for gov.; wave of resignations expected before Oct. vote

Brazil justice minister resigns to run for office

SAO PAULO — Brazil’s justice minister has resigned to run for governor of a southern state in elections later this year.

Tarso Genro is the first of a long line of Cabinet members expected to step down in time to be eligible for the October vote.

Under Brazilian law, government officials running for office must leave their posts at least six months beforehand.

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said Wednesday that Genro’s replacement will be Luiz Paulo Barreto. The 46-year-old Barreto has been Justice Ministry executive secretary since 2003.

Silva’s chief of staff, Dilma Rousseff, is also expected to resign and run to replace her termed-out boss.