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Brazilian president vows to fight impeachment until elections

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff talks with her delegation after speaking at the High-Level Event for the Signature of the Paris Agreement at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, New York, USA, 22 April 2016. EPA/JUSTIN LANE

NEW YORK – Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff says she is innocent of any wrongdoing and she will fight efforts to remove her before the next elections in 2018.

Speaking to reporters following an address at the United Nations on Friday, Rousseff characterized the impeachment proceedings against her in Brazil as a coup and blamed corrupt politicians, a hostile media and flagging economy.

She said impeachment would have “serious consequences for the Brazilian political process.”

WATCH: Brazil plans to impeach president
Click to play video: 'Brazil plans to impeach president'
Brazil plans to impeach president

Rousseff is accused of using sleight-of-hand accounting tricks to continue funding government programs and thus shore up flagging support. She has argued that such manoeuvrs are common practice in Brazil.

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On Sunday, the lower Chamber of Deputies voted in favour of impeaching Rousseff. The measure now goes to the Senate for a possible trial.

WATCH: Police clash with protesters as civil unrest continues in Brazil
Click to play video: 'Police clash with protesters as civil unrest continues in Brazil'
Police clash with protesters as civil unrest continues in Brazil

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