Brazilian President Michel Temer has survived a congressional vote that could have suspended him over a bribery charge.

At least 172 of the 513 members of the lower Chamber of Deputies had voted by late Wednesday against putting Mr Temer on trial for allegedly orchestrating a scheme to line his own pockets with millions of pounds in illicit payments.

The opposition needed two-thirds of the chamber, or 342 votes, to advance the case against the embattled leader.

With Mr Temer winning more than a third of votes, the charge against him is suspended. A final tally was expected later on Wednesday night.

Attorney General Rodrigo Janot levelled the bribery charge against Mr Temer in June.

Because it involved a sitting president, Mr Temer could only be put on trial if the Chamber of Deputies agreed.

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