Suspended Brazilian President Rousseff presents defense at i

The impeachment trial against Dilma Rousseff has shifted the nation's focus following the conclusion of the 2016 Rio Games. The suspended president defended herself before the Senate on Monday.

Suspended Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff attends a Senate impeachment trial in Brasilia, Brazil, on Aug. 29, 2016. Brazilian leader Dilma Rousseff, twice elected president as the candidate of a left-leaning alliance led by the Workers' Party (PT), will undergo one of the most critical moments of her political career. (Xinhua/Dida Sampaio/AGENCIA ESTADO)

Rousseff apologised for a lack of dialogue and added that this should not be construed as an impeachable crime, insisting that she had not broken budgetary rules. She called the impeachment process a plot to overthrow her position AND a way to protect the interests of the privileged classes.

The Senate is expected to reach a decision on Tuesday or Wednesday. If Rousseff is convicted, she will become the first Brazilian leader in more than two decades to be dismissed from office.