Brazil's Congress re-elects leaders in victory for Lula

President of Brazil's Federal Senate Rodrigo Pacheco votes during a session to elect the new senate president in Brasilia, Brazil February 1, 2023. REUTERS/Ton Molina

BRASILIA (Reuters) -Brazil's Congress on Wednesday re-elected the leaders of both chambers who were backed by leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, a victory that will help him advance his legislative agenda and curb the influence of his right-wing opponents.

Senator Rodrigo Pacheco defeated an ally of far-right former President Jair Bolsonaro, winning 49 votes in the 82-member chamber to continue as Senate president.