Brazilian President Michel Temer lost a key liaison in Congress Friday as he struggles to corral enough votes to push through an ambitious pension reform. Congressman Antonio Imbassahy resigned from his role as institutional relations minister, acting as a middleman between Temer and the rest of Congress. Temer aims to send the unpopular pension reform to Congress before Christmas. The pension overhaul would set a minimum retirement age and require most people to work more years to receive full benefits. The vote faces an uphill battle as Congress struggles with corruption allegations and as Brazil's 2018 elections near.

Source: ABC News December 08, 2017 20:26 UTC