Rousseff: If I am removed, history will judge Brazil's decision

Dilma Rousseff, the suspended President of Brazil, described the accusations against her as baseless during her appearance in the Senate on Monday, September 8, stating that if she is removed from office, history will judge Brazil's decision. According to the Associated Press, Rousseff said, "I know I will be judged, but my conscience is completely clear. I have committed no crime." She reminded senators that she was elected in 2014 with over 54 million votes and has adhered to the constitution in all her decisions, keeping the country's interests in mind. The Brazilian president added, "In this case, I feel the bitter taste of injustice." Rousseff, a leftist president, was accused of violating the country's financial regulations to hide government budget problems during her second term. She denied any wrongdoing and claimed her opponents are executing a "coup" against her. Rousseff stated that in early 2015, opposition parties created instability by refusing dialogue and agreement, which led to serious financial and budgetary issues as government revenues were declining. She emphasized that the impeachment process has exacerbated Brazil's economic recession and held opposition parties responsible for the current situation. However, the opposition claims that Rousseff must be removed to improve the country's economic status. If Rousseff is removed, her vice president and current acting president, Michel Temer, who has become her main adversary, will assume the presidency. Temer was appointed as acting president for 180 days following the Senate's vote to impeach and suspend Dilma Rousseff in May. The Associated Press adds that Rousseff stated that the Brazilian people, over half of whom are non-white, would never vote for a politician who has chosen all white men for his cabinet. Rousseff mentioned that her weakening process, which led to impeachment, was initiated by Eduardo Cunha, the former Speaker of the Brazilian House of Representatives, who is now accused of various crimes related to financial corruption. She added that Cunha had tried to pressure her to use his party's votes to dismiss the accusations against him in the disciplinary committee. Dilma Rousseff remarked that it is a historical irony that those accused of serious crimes judge her for crimes she has never committed. The impeachment process against Rousseff began late last year at the request of opposition parties in parliament for her removal. The Brazilian Senate will vote on her definitive removal from the presidency in the coming days. On Monday, hundreds of Rousseff's supporters gathered around the Senate building, chanting in her favor. Supporters of her impeachment also gathered, and police separated the two groups. Rousseff attended the fourth day of the trial, presided over by one of the judges of the Supreme Court of Brazil. At the end of Rousseff's speech, many senators applauded her, causing the judge to temporarily adjourn the session. The judge emphasized, "This is a court session, not a political debate."