Brazil's senate votes to suspend president for 180 days

Brazil’s President Dilma Rousseff will face a full impeachment trial after the country’s senate voted to suspend her from office.

More than two thirds of senators backed the motion at the end of a marathon debate in the capital Brasilia.

55 senators voted in favour compared to 22 against. There were no abstentions.

It means Rousseff will now automatically be suspended for 180 days while she fights the charges.

Vice President Michel Temer will step in as interim head of state.

A two-thirds majority vote will still be needed at the end of the forthcoming Senate trial to force Rousseff from office altogether.

The process to impeach Brazil’s first woman president has divided Brazilians.

Thousands of protesters gathered outside Congress and across the country in support and opposition to Rousseff.

In Sao Paulo, there were violent scenes as demonstrators clashed with police during the debate.

Euronews