Brazil's Political Turmoil Is Being Compared To 'House Of Cards'

Brazil's latest political turmoil is causing widespread protests — and jokes.

Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff made former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva her chief of staff on Wednesday.

It's a move opponents call a poorly disguised attempt to protect Lula from the Petrobras scandal — a wide-reaching set of allegations involving bribes and kickbacks from the government-affiliated oil company.

Part of Rousseff's motivation for appointing Lula is to help clear her own name amid impeachment — just another layer to Brazil's complicated political scene.

Lula was taken in for questioning at the beginning of March over alleged corruption involving the oil company, but he hasn't been charged yet.

And a judge released phone records between the Rouseff and Lula on Wednesday. The calls reportedly point toward the two trying to get Lula a cabinet position.

Both Rousseff and Lula deny allegations, and Rousseff said, "Lula's arrival in my government strengthens it, and there are people who don't want it to be stronger."

As for the jokes, some are comparing the scandal and aftermath to the Netflix show "House of Cards."

The show even gave Brazil's political drama a shout out.

This video includes clips from TV NBR, Instituto Lula, TeleSur and Netflix and images from Getty Images.