Brazilian senators debate in impeachment trial against Rousseff

The impeachment trial against suspended Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff on Tuesday night entered the final phase as senators debated about her fate before the final vote.

Out of a total of 81 senators, 35 have spoken so far, with 21 of them in favor of the impeachment, 12 against and two not declaring their intention.

Another 36 senators have signed up to speak, meaning the session will go on through the night and continue on Wednesday morning.

For Rousseff to be removed from office, at least 54, or two-thirds of all 81 senators, must vote in favor of the impeachment.

Rousseff is charged with spending without congressional approval and manipulating government accounts in the run-up to her 2014 re-election.

Her impeachment is widely regarded as inevitable by local politicians and mainstream media.

Earlier in the day, Rousseff's lawyer Jose Eduardo Cardozo made a heartfelt call for senators not to vote in what he called "a parliamentary coup."

Rousseff, who defended herself in the Senate on Monday, was interrogated by senators for over 12 hours, till midnight. She denied any wrongdoing and labelled the impeachment as "a coup."

Though Rousseff's defense at the Senate was regarded as firm and coherent, it is unlikely to turn the tide, analysts said.

If found guilty, Rousseff will be removed from office definitively while her former Vice President and acting President Michel Temer will be confirmed as the new leader for the rest of Rousseff's four-year term through 2018. Endi