Brazil Congress opens inquiry into Jan. 8 capital storming

FILE PHOTO: Demonstrators and members of social movements gather in defence of democracy after thousands of supporters of far-right former President Jair Bolsonaro stormed Brazil's Congress, the Supreme Court and the presidential palace, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil January 9, 2023. REUTERS/Lucas Landau

BRASILIA (Reuters) -Brazil's Congress on Wednesday opened an inquiry into the Jan. 8 storming of key government buildings in the capital by violent demonstrators who denied the electoral victory of the recently inaugurated President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

In a joint session of its two chambers, the parties began selecting the 16 senators and 16 representatives who will sit on the committee, with opposition parties and the government's allies battling to appoint its chair and rapporteur.