Brazil's suspended President Dilma Rousseff is vowing to fight back after the Senate voted, 55-22, for an impeachment trial for alleged corruption and to temporarily remove her from power.
Flanked by weeping cabinet ministers, Rousseff used what may be her last presidential palace speech to again insist she did nothing wrong and assert her belief that the impeachment is a coup attempt.
"What is at stake is respect for the ballot box, the sovereign will of the Brazilian people and the constitution ... this is a tragic hour for our country. ... I never imagined that it would be necessary to fight once more against a coup," she said.
The 68-year-old leftist waved at least a temporary goodbye to her supporters and retreated back into the palace, where she will be allowed to live while the trial is underway.
Rousseff's former ally-turned-political-enemy, Michel Temer, will take over as interim president. The conservative Temer has started putting together what political observers say will be a business-friendly cabinet. Its main task will be tackling the country's deep recession and reforming the pension system.
"Now is not a moment for celebrations, but rather for profound reflection," Temer said in his first statement as Brazilian leader. "We must significantly improve the business environment for the private sector ... and rebalance the government's budget."
Temer has already named former central bank chief Henrique Meirelles as his finance minister. He also has to deal with the mosquito-borne Zika virus — a major problem for Brazil as Rio de Janeiro tries to clean up polluted waterways and spruce up the city in time for hosting the Olympic Games in August.
Topic: Brazil's Suspended President Rousseff Vows to Fight Impeachment Vote by Senate (Read 1118 times)
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