Supporters of former Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff have been protesting across the country after she was removed from office on 31 August, ending an impeachment process that polarised Latin America's largest nation amid a huge corruption scandal and economic crisis.
Voting 61-20, senators convicted Rousseff, the country's first female president, for illegally using money from state banks in order to bankroll spending, marking the end of 13 years of the leftist Workers Party. The opposition needed 54 of the 81 senators to vote in favour for her to be removed. "The Senate has found that the president of the federal republic of Brazil, Dilma Vana Rousseff, committed crimes in breaking fiscal laws," said Chief Justice Ricardo Lewandowski, who presided over the trial.
Supporters of former President Dilma Rousseff burn items in the street, during a protest march in Sao PauloVictor Moriyama/ Getty ImagesSupporters of Dilma Rousseff light a fire as they protest against new Brazilian President Michel Temer at the Paulista Avenue in Sao PauloMiguel Schincariol/ AFPSupporters of Dilma Rousseff clash with police during a protest march in Sao PauloVictor Moriyama/ Getty ImagesSupporters of Dilma Rousseff clash with police during a protest march in Sao PauloVictor Moriyama/ Getty ImagesA supporter of Dilma Rousseff throws a brick at a window, during a protest march in Sao PauloVictor Moriyama/ Getty ImagesSupporters of Dilma Rousseff attend a protest after Brazil's Senate removed Rousseff in Rio de JaneiroRicardo Moraes/ ReutersA supporter of Dilma Rousseff attends a protest in Rio de JaneiroRicardo Moraes/ Reuters
The decision to oust Rousseff has become a key chapter Brazil's massive political struggle, one that is far from over. Her vice president, the conservative Michael Temer was immediately sworn in as president with Rousseff's allies vowing to fight her removal. "Today is the day that 61 men, many of them charged and corrupt, threw 54 million Brazilian votes in the garbage," Rousseff tweeted, moments after the decision had been made.
Supporters of Dilma Rousseff hold a Brazilian national flag after she was stripped of the country's presidency Miguel Schincariol/ AFPSupporters of Brazil's Dilma Rousseff demonstrate against new Brazilian President Michel Temer in Rio de JaneiroYasuyoshi Chiba/ AFPA protester in favour of former President Dilma Rousseff walks in the street during a protest march in Sao PauloVictor Moriyama/ Getty ImagesDemonstrators attack a police car during a protest against Brazil's new President Michel Temer in Sao Paulo, following the impeachment of Dilma RousseffNacho Doce/ Reuters
In an unexpected move, Brazil's Senate voted 42-36 to allow Rousseff to retain the right to hold public office – a break with traditional Brazil law, which specifies a dismissed president should be barred from holding any government job for eight years. However, hours after Rousseff was removed, Temer assured the nation his administration was up to the task. "From today on, the expectations are much higher for the government. I hope that in these two years and four months, we do what we have declared – put Brazil back on track," he said.
Temer has vowed to boost an economy that has shrunk for six consecutive quarters and implement austerity measures to plug a record budget deficit, which cost Brazil its investment-grade credit rating last year. However, while many hailed the removal of the former leftist guerrilla, others did not. Television images showed some protestors smashing windows, vandalising stores and setting rubbish on fire in Sao Paulo, while police in riot gear blocked major roads.
People demonstrate against Dilma Rousseff after in Sao PauloMiguel Schincariol/ AFPNew Brazilian President Michel Temer before the start of the plenary session of the Brazilian Senate in which he will take office in BrasiliaAndressa Anholete/ AFPAn official photograph of former president Dilma Rousseff is seen in an office inside the Presidential Palace after the final session of voting on Rousseff's impeachment trial in BrasiliaAdriano Machado/ ReutersFormer Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva listens to the statement of President Dilma Rousseff, above, at the end of her impeachment trial at the senate in BrasiliaEvaristo Sa/ AFPA supporter of impeached President Dilma Rousseff during the Senate voting on impeachment outside Alvorado Palace in BrasiliaMario Tama/ Getty Images