Brazilian president testifies
‘ Be just,’ she urges accusers
BRASILIA, Brazil — Fighting to save her job, suspended Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff told senators Monday that the allegations against her have no merit and that history would judge the country if she is removed from office.
“I know I will be judged, but my conscience is clear. I did not commit a crime,” Rousseff told senators at her impeachment trial.
Rousseff reminded senators that she was re- elected in 2014 by more than 54 million voters. She said that at every moment she has followed the constitution and done what was best for the country.
“I can’t help but taste the bitterness of injustice” of this process, she said.
In the middle of her second term, the left- leaning leader is accused of breaking fiscal rules to hide problems in the federal budget. Brazil’s first female president denies wrongdoing and argues that her enemies are carrying out a “coup d’etat.”
During her 30- minute speech, Rousseff argued that in early 2015 the opposition in Congress began creating a climate of instability by refusing to negotiate and throwing “fiscal bombs” in the face of declining revenues.
She said the impeachment process had exacerbated the recession in Latin America’s largest economy, flipping the blame on the opposition, which often argues she has to be removed for the financial climate to improve.
Rousseff blasted interim President Michel Temer as a “usurper.” Her vice presidentturned- arch enemy will serve out Rousseff’s term if she is removed. Temer took over when the Senate voted in May to impeach and suspend Rousseff for up to 180 days while a trial was prepared.
Rousseff said that Brazilians would never have voted for a man who picked a Cabinet of all white men in a country that is more than 50 percent nonwhite. The Cabinet that Temer put in place in May has been roundly criticized for its lack of diversity.
Rousseff asserted she had paid a price for refusing to quash a wide- ranging police investigation into the state oil company Petrobras, saying that corrupt lawmakers conspired to oust her to derail the investigation into billions of dollars in kickbacks at the oil giant. The probe has led to the jailing of top businessmen and politicians, including in her Workers’ Party.
Watchdog groups estimate 60 percent of the 594 lawmakers in both chambers are being investigated for wrongdoing, many in relation to Petrobras.
Rousseff said it was “an irony of history” that she would be judged for crimes she did not commit, and by people who were accused of serious crimes.
Watching the proceedings, Rousseff’s mentor and predecessor as president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who is himself under investigation, said, “She said what she had to say.”
After Rousseff ’ s speech, senators from both the opposition and her bloc of supporters began questioning her, a process that extended late into Monday night. The Senate will vote on whether to remove her permanently either as early as today or perhaps Wednesday.
For Rousseff to be removed, at least 54 of the 81 senators need to vote in favor. Counts by local media found that 52 senators have said they plan on voting for removal, while 18 are opposed and 11 have not said one way or another.
Several hundred supporters demonstrated outside Congress and cheered when she arrived. Outside Congress, a wall was put up to separate Rousseff supporters and pro- impeachment activists.
In Sao Paulo, police fired tear gas against people who had gathered to demonstrate in support of Rousseff.