Key ally of Brazil's president divided over her impeachment

Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff gestures during a news conference after a meeting with jurists defending her against impeachment at the Planalto Palace in Brasilia, Brazil December 7, 2015. [Photo/Agencies]

BRASILIA - Impeachment proceedings against Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff were delayed on Monday by a fight between supporters and opponents trying to stack a lower house committee that will report on whether she committed an impeachable offense.

Rousseff's main ally, the fractious Brazilian Democratic Movement Party (PMDB), split over her impeachment, resulting inseparate lists of lawmakers to sit on the 65-member committee.

The division was a rocky start for Rousseff who is counting on PMDB votes to save her presidency from opposition lawmakers accusing her of breaking budget laws as she ramped up economic stimulus during her re-election campaign last year.

Earlier on Monday, Rousseff urged Congress to cancel its recess in January and deal swiftly with a request for her impeachment, aiming to quash it before a growing economic crisis throws more of the country against her.

Selection of the special committee was postponed from Monday to Tuesday, despite protests by leaders of Rousseff's Workers' Party that the opposition was using delaying tactics.

"This is war and we are going to fight it out," said Sibá Machado, a Workers' Party leader in the house, who said theimpeachment proceedings were already "contaminated."

The president's aides have said she has enough votes to block impeachment in the lower house, but that could change asher opponents whip up anti-government sentiment.

An early vote before Brazilians get back from their January holidays may favor Rousseff, since the pro-impeachment campaign could gain momentum as an economic recession is expected toworsen early next year.

"In this situation of political and economic crisis, it is important to call back Congress," she told reporters. "It is not right for the country to be kept waiting until Feb 2."