Brazilian VP says Rousseff impeachment process losing strength

Brazilian Vice-President Michel Temer (PMDB) said on Friday that the impeachment process against President Dilma Rousseff is "losing strength" and that he would work closely with the president to halt the economic crisis.

Speaking during an interview with the CBN radio station, during a tour across the country to reaffirm his leadership of the PMDB.

"The impeachment has lost strength, we are allies and we seek to calm the country down. This process had consistency for a while, but it has lost it," said Temer.

On Thursday, Temer said that he would stand as PMDB's presidential candidate for the 2018 general election, adding his focus was now on municipal elections next October.

"We cannot be a party that simply makes accusations or seeks to be elected. We must command this country in 2018 to implement our program. The elections of 2018 have to go through those of 2016," he added.

Relations between Temer and Rousseff have been tense since the Chamber of Deputies announced on Dec. 2 that it would begin an impeachment process against Rousseff, who will be voted on in February.

As the first in the line of succession, Temer sent a letter to Rousseff in December, accusing her of never trusting him and of never seeing him as more than a political ally of convenience.

In early January, Temer declared he would have a "harmonious relationship" with Rousseff in 2016. Endit