Rousseff waves to the crowd at a women’s rights conference on May 10, 2016 in Brasilia [Image: Planalto]The Brazilian Senate is gearing up to vote on Wednesday on the motion to open an impeachment trial against the president. Local reports indicate that President Dilma Rousseff’s opponents have more than the 41 votes needed to initiate a full impeachment trial, thereby suspending Brazil’s first female leader for 180 days.
The Workers Party (PT) and labor unions have taken to the streets to protest what they are calling a “coup” against democracy.
On Tuesday, anti-coup protesters blocked roads with burning tires around Sao Paulo, the capital, Brasilia, and other cities.
Brazil’s Attorney General’s Office appealed on Tuesday to the Federal Supreme Court in a bid to annul the impeachment process against Rousseff.
The Attorney General, Jose Eduardo Cardozo, in a news conference later during the day, argued the proceedings against Rousseff were politically motivated and had no legal basis.
“I will not resign, that never crossed my mind,” Rousseff told a supporters rally.
If a simple majority agrees to put her on trial, Rousseff will be suspended from office on Thursday, leaving Vice President Michel Temer in power for up to six months during her trial. If Rousseff were convicted and removed definitively, Temer would stay in the post until elections in 2018.
The document submitted by Cardoza, questions the president’s dismissal process brought forward by the now suspended President of the Chamber of Deputies (lower house), Eduardo Cunha, due to her alleged “misuse of powers.”
She has denied any wrongdoing.
TBP and Agencies
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