(VOVworld)- Brazil's Senate on Thursday started the long-anticipated impeachment trial of suspended President Dilma Rousseff.  The public hoped that it would make a new chapter of opportunity in the country which is struggling with political, economic and security upheaval.

Brazil's deposed President Dilma Rousseff

Brazil's first female president is accused of using illegal maneuvers to fill federal budget gaps in an attempt to hide the true extent of the country's financial woes. Her opponents say she did so to maintain support ahead of her successful 2014 re-election bid, which resulted in Brazil plunging further into recession. On Monday, Ms Rousseff attended hearing at the Senate for the first time since her presidency was suspended in May. But some witnesses, who gathered at the hearing on August 29, said the deposed President had neither violated the national budget law nor caused losses for the national economy. On August 28, the Brazilian Senate heard statements from other witnesses who also defended the deposed President.

The political crisis that occurred in Brazil early this year has affected the national economy already in crisis. President Rousseff was accused of breaking the “law of fiscal responsibility” by manipulating the 2014 and 2015 budgets and using additional budgets without Congress approval. If Dilma Rousseff is not impeached within 48 hours from August 29, she will resume her power. Otherwise, interim President Michel Temer will serve out the rest of her term through 2018. One of Mr. Temer’s major challenges is to restore the national economy and reduce the budget deficit which has reached 10% of the GDP.

It’s hard to say that decision on Dilma Rousseff’s trial can help root out pending issues in Brazil, which was plunged into the worst political crisis ever in its history. Brazil is also experiencing the worst economic crisis since 1930 with the budget deficit likely reaching 11% of GDP. The leader of Brazil needs to overcome numerous challenges to restore the country’s politics and economy. He or she will have to reform the political system, control public spending, reform the tax system and boost economic growth. It’s not an easy task for any politician.