Mass rallies in defense of leader facing impeachment

Rousseff accuses enemies of mounting a 'coup', as her supporters demonstrate in 30 cities

Supporters of Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff called mass street rallies on Friday in her defense, counterattacking in a political crisis that threatens to drive her from office.

As police fired tear gas and stun grenades to keep at bay angry protesters demanding Rousseff's resignation late on Thursday, her embattled left-wing support base mobilized.

They called rallies for Friday in more than 30 cities - a chance for a show of strength after 3 million people joined in anti-government demonstrations last weekend.

The rival protests followed a day of political drama as lawmakers on Thursday relaunched impeachment proceedings against Rousseff, 68.

The courts, meanwhile, blocked her bid to bring her predecessor Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva into the Cabinet.

Rousseff and her allies are fighting off corruption allegations and struggling with discontent over a deep recession.

The setbacks for the leader came a day after a new twist in a corruption scandal she is embroiled in: a wiretapped telephone call that pointed to connivance between Rousseff and her predecessor Lula.

Rousseff swore in Lula, 70, as her new chief of staff on Thursday.

A judge in Brasilia issued a ruling suspending that appointment over allegations that she was trying to protect him from corruption charges by giving him ministerial immunity. That ruling was overturned late on Thursday on appeal, but a separate federal court in Rio de Janeiro upheld another lawsuit blocking Lula's appointment.

Rousseff accused enemies of mounting a "coup" against her.

Counter-demos

Thursday's events plunged Rousseff's government into deeper uncertainty as she struggles with public anger, economic chaos and the splintering of her coalition in congress.

Lula and Rousseff have between them governed Brazil for the past 13 years. He presided over a boom, but political and economic crises are now gripping Latin America's biggest economy.

Anti-government protests erupted on Wednesday when a judge leaked a call between Rousseff and Lula that suggested she appointed him to save him from arrest.

The biggest counter-demos on Friday were expected in Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Brasilia, called by Rousseff's Workers' Party, the major CUT union and other groups.

Organizers said the demonstrations aimed to fend off a "coup" and to defend Rousseff's social policies. The CUT in Sao Paulo vowed the rallies would be peaceful.

Brazil grabbed world headlines in 2013 when it was gripped by mass riots against corruption and increased transport costs.

AFP - AP