Rousseff calls for shorter parliamentary recess to deal with impeachment crisis

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff on Monday asked the Congress to cancel its traditional winter recess to deal with the impeachment proceedings against her.

The recess, which runs from mid-December to Feb. 2, should be called off in January, Rousseff told the press.

"We are living in a situation of political and economic crisis. I feel it is important for Congress to return without letting the country wait until February," she said.

Rousseff added that she would be meeting with President of the Senate Renan Calheiros to convince him to call an extraordinary session of the legislature.

President of the Chamber of Deputies Eduardo Cunha authorized the impeachment proceedings last week on allegations that the government made illegal financial operations last year and Rousseff signed off on them.

The move came shortly after the ruling Workers' Party (PT) faction in the lower house announced it would vote in favor of an ethics committee trial against Cunha for illicit enrichment.

Cunha of the Brazilian Democratic Movement Party (PMDB), has been accused of squirreling away millions overseas in secret Swiss bank accounts.

Also on Monday, Henrique Fontana, a PT member in the Chamber of Deputies, said the government seeks to accelerate its response to the impeachment proceedings to prevent damages to the economy.

According to Fontana, the government will present Rousseff's defense case as soon as possible in order for the Congress to vote on the matter before Christmas. Endi