Rousseff Defense Makes Its Case in Impeachment Trial

The defense of President Dilma Rousseff began to make its case Firday as the Brazilian Senate resumed the impeachment trial against the suspended socialist leader.

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Six witnesses will speak today on Rousseff's behalf, including former Planning Minister Nelson Barbosa and former Budget Secretary Esther Dweck, both of whom served in her administration.

The fate of Rousseff lies in the hands of the Senate, which will vote next Tuesday on whether to permanently oust her from office.

Conservative Brazilian senators forced Rousseff to step down as president in May over allegations that she cooked the federal budget books in the runup to her 2014 reelection to hide a government shortfall and woo voters. However, a June Senate report proved the allegations were false.

Rousseff has denied such allegations and her defense has said it will be extremely difficult for the political opposition to uncover evidence of criminal wrongdoing.

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The move has also been widely-condemned as a coup both domestically and internationally, while highly influential international artists and intellectuals published a letter on Tuesday condemning the months-long impeachment process.

The debate is expected to last over the weekend, culminating with Rousseff's testimony Monday, followed by a final impeachment vote. Only 53 Senate votes are needed to remove the embattled, democratically-elected president from office.

If impeached, Rousseff will be replaced by the interim President Michel Temer, who led the Parliamentary coup and will continue to govern until 2018.