The Fate of the Brazilian President Will Be Determined Soon

The countdown has begun in Brazil for the trial of Dilma Rousseff, the leftist president of the country. The Brazilian Senate initiated discussions on Rousseff's impeachment on Wednesday, May 11. Rousseff narrowly won the presidential election two years ago and managed to remain in office for another four-year term. She is likely the first Brazilian president in the last two decades to be removed from office for at least six months by a vote of the country's lawmakers. Rousseff is accused of manipulating the country's budget statistics and financial corruption, and it is said that she will be tried after her political immunity is revoked. The Brazilian House of Representatives approved the impeachment motion against the president in late April. The Brazilian Senate also began discussions on Rousseff's impeachment on Wednesday morning local time, and according to international news agencies, voting is likely to take place early Thursday. Brazilian media, citing government opponents and several senators, reported that more than half of the 81 senators are expected to vote for Rousseff's removal and trial. The Brazilian president, representing the Workers' Party, requested on Tuesday from the country's Supreme Court to halt the impeachment process in her last attempt to prevent the Senate vote. Rousseff claims her impeachment lacks legal basis and is politically motivated. However, opposition parties argue that during her presidency, widespread financial corruption and the government's inability to manage the country have led Brazil's economy to the brink of bankruptcy. The political crisis in Brazil, which is considered the largest economy in Latin America, has deepened the country's economic recession. The political and legal pressure from opposition parties and Rousseff's sharply declining popularity have fueled protests and demonstrations from both her supporters and opponents. On Tuesday, groups for and against Rousseff held demonstrations and marches in cities including Brasília, the capital, São Paulo, and other major cities. Labor unions and the Workers' Party, the ruling party, have called for the public to initiate a general strike. Meanwhile, Michel Temer, the vice president, is preparing to take over the country's leadership and introduce a new cabinet. It is said that Mr. Temer is likely to introduce his cabinet members hours after the Senate's vote for Rousseff's trial is announced.