Brasilia: Brazil's suspended president Dilma Rousseff could still wriggle out of a looming impeachment vote, her ally and predecessor Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said Tuesday.
Lula, Brazil's most prominent leftist leader, told Radio Jornal that Rousseff's case is not hopeless, despite months of mounting pressure on her to be removed from office.
Previous votes in the lower and upper houses easily passed the simple majorities needed to send her to trial for allegedly breaking budgetary laws -- a case she claims is a coup d'etat.
However, when the Senate votes again in a final session on August 25-27, it must reach a two-thirds majority and the result is expected to be far closer.
"To defeat the impeachment is easier than before," said Lula, who was president from 2003-2010 and founded the Workers' Party, which has been in power for 13 years.
Lula said Rousseff, 68, needs to secure support from a handful of extra senators to swing the vote. "Dilma depends on only six votes," he told the radio station from northeastern Pernambuco state.
The Senate must vote by 54 votes out of 81 for the impeachment to pass. In that case, Rousseff foe Michel Temer, who is currently serving as interim president, would stay as president until the next scheduled elections in 2018.
If the vote fails, Rousseff would return to office. However, she is seen as badly weakened, with rock bottom popularity in a country that blames her for a deep recession, massive corruption and months of political instability.
Temer and Rousseff are both invited to the opening ceremony of the Olympics, which start in Rio on August 5.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Lula, Brazil's most prominent leftist leader, told Radio Jornal that Rousseff's case is not hopeless, despite months of mounting pressure on her to be removed from office.
Previous votes in the lower and upper houses easily passed the simple majorities needed to send her to trial for allegedly breaking budgetary laws -- a case she claims is a coup d'etat.
"To defeat the impeachment is easier than before," said Lula, who was president from 2003-2010 and founded the Workers' Party, which has been in power for 13 years.
Advertisement
The Senate must vote by 54 votes out of 81 for the impeachment to pass. In that case, Rousseff foe Michel Temer, who is currently serving as interim president, would stay as president until the next scheduled elections in 2018.
Advertisement
Temer and Rousseff are both invited to the opening ceremony of the Olympics, which start in Rio on August 5.
© Thomson Reuters 2016
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
"Diplomatic Visit Or Wedding Pics"? Photos Of 2 World Leaders Go Viral Brazil's Lula Compares Gaza Op To Holocaust, Israel Says "Red Line" Crossed Brazil PM's Wife To Sue Elon Musk's X After Her Account Gets Hacked Life On Earth Originates From One Ancestor, Older Than Previously Believed Omar Abdullah On What Should Be J&K Assembly's 1st Move After Polls Villagers Try To Drive Away Elephant With Spiked Rods, Fireballs. It Dies Special App, Safe Zones: Bengal's Night Shift Measures For Women After D Cops Probing Conspiracy Angle Into Kolkata Hospital Vandalism: 5 Points Ukraine Says "Strengthening" Positions In Russia Amid Raging War Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.