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Protests Rock Brazil: Rousseff Impeachment Trial Underway

Protests Rock Brazil: Rousseff Impeachment Trial Underway
folder_openAmericas... access_time7 years ago
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Local Editor

With the impeachment trial of suspended Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff back underway, protesters have gathered outside, in a show of solidarity.

Protests Rock Brazil: Rousseff Impeachment Trial Underway
 
Facing accusations of corruption, Rousseff denied any wrongdoing before the Senate on Monday. "The evidence makes it clear that charges against me are merely pretexts based on fragile judicial rhetoric," she said.

In parallel, Rousseff highlighted that "these are pretexts to overthrow a legitimate government through an impeachment crime without criminal responsibility...We are one step closer to a serious institutional breakdown. We are one step closer to achieving a real coup."

In May, the upper house of the Brazilian parliament voted 55-22 to start impeachment proceedings against Rousseff after she was accused of concealing the country's budget deficit ahead of the 2014 election.

Rousseff was suspended from office for 180 days, and Vice President Michel Temer fulfilled the functions of the presidency during that period. Rousseff's ouster would have dramatic consequences for the people of Brazil.

The Senate is set to hear closing arguments from lawyers for the two sides on Tuesday before holding a final debate ahead of voting -- with the session possibly stretching into Wednesday. Two thirds, or 54, of the 81 senators must vote in favor of impeachment to strip Rousseff of the presidency.

Recalling how she was tortured under Brazil's military dictatorship in the 1970s, the leftist Leader urged senators during her testimony to "vote against impeachment, vote for democracy... Do not accept a coup."

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team

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