The Brazilian president faces a crucial ballot in parliament on whether he should stand trial on corruption charges.

Experts say Michel Temer is expected to scrape together enough votes in the unprecedented motion on Wednesday in the lower house of the country’s congress.

Opponents of the president need two-thirds of the votes to approve charges against Temer and send the case to the Supreme Court.

But even some of the president’s adversaries acknowledge they do not have the numbers.

Temer has been fighting for his political survival after allegations arose that he took bribes from big business.

The scandal has all-but paralysed his government at a time when important budget legislation is needed to tackle the country’s recession.

Brazil has impeached two presidents, including Temer’s predecessor Dilma Rousseff, last year. But none has ever faced a congressional vote for a corruption trial.