The removal of the Labor Minister weakens Temer even further.

BRASILIA (Reuters) - The removal of Labor Minister Helton Yomura, ordered by the Supreme Federal Court (STF) this Thursday on suspicion of involvement in a scheme of irregular granting of union registrations, amplifies the imbroglio that has plagued the ministry since the end of last year and further weakens President Michel Temer.

With no immediate official comments from the government, sources at the Presidential Palace, speaking to Reuters, indicated that the government's initial stance was to try to deflect the problem directly onto the PTB, the party that has controlled the ministry since Temer assumed the Presidency.

But the PTB's announcement that it would place the "Ministry of Labor at the disposal of the Temer government" returned the ball to the Planalto Palace. It is expected that the Minister of the Government Secretariat, Carlos Marun, will give a press conference after a ceremony at the Planalto Palace.

According to one source, Marun met with Temer and the Minister of the Civil House, Eliseu Padilha.

The impasse in the ministry began at the end of last year, when Ronaldo Nogueira announced he would leave his post to seek re-election to the Chamber of Deputies in October of this year. The PTB party nominated Congressman Pedro Fernandes (MA) to replace him. However, the congressman's close relationship with the governor of Maranhão, Flávio Dino (PCdoB) —a staunch opponent of the Temer government— led to a veto of his nomination.

In early January, the president of the PTB party, former congressman Roberto Jefferson, nominated his daughter, congresswoman Cristiane Brasil, for the position. Convicted in a labor lawsuit, Cristiane saw her nomination challenged, leading to a legal battle that only ended in late February with the congresswoman's withdrawal from the position.

Yomura initially assumed the ministry on a provisional basis, only becoming permanent in April.

The following month, the Federal Police launched the first phase of Operation Spurious Registry, conducting searches in the offices of members of parliament, at the headquarters of the PTB and Solidarity parties, and at labor union headquarters.

In the second phase, launched in June, the main target was congresswoman Cristiane Brasil. This Thursday, with the third phase, Minister Helton Yomura was removed from office.

In addition to relinquishing control of the ministry, Jefferson defended the investigations and denied any involvement in wrongdoing.

"As already stated, if there was any irregularity in the department, those responsible will have to answer to the Justice system for their actions," Jefferson said in a statement.

"However, we do not agree with inferences released before the investigations are concluded. Personally, I insist: I did not participate in any corrupt scheme at the Ministry of Labor. And I add that my collaboration was limited to providing political support to the government so that the PTB (Brazilian Labour Party) could lead the ministry."

With the election and the end of his term just months away, this move means the PTB no longer has any reason to support Temer in Congress.

Next week, the PTB is expected to announce its support for the PSDB's pre-candidate for President of the Republic, Geraldo Alckmin.