SÃO PAULO — Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff is suggesting she would hold a national referendum on her presidency if she survives an impeachment trial expected for August.
Rousseff said in an interview aired by state-run TV Brasil Thursday night that Brazilians should be “consulted” on the future, even if the Senate does not permanently remove her from office.
Such a vote could lead to a new presidential election.
Rousseff was impeached and suspended May 12 amid allegations she broke fiscal laws, though she says she did nothing wrong.
Lawmakers who support neither her nor acting President Michel Temer have called for new elections to resolve the political crisis.
Temer has become as unpopular as Rousseff and has already lost two ministers to corruption probes. Members of his inner circle are also under investigation.
