Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff has insisted the impeachment against her is not legal. She called her supporters to "stay alert" and resist the "anti-democratic tendencies" promoted by the opposition in the country.

"We know that democracy is defined in our constitution. There is no democracy when the rights of some are hit by the judgement of others. Today, we need to stay alert, and to resist the anti-democratic tendencies, to resist the provocations. We don't defend any process of persecution against any authorities because of its ideas. We don't defend the violence, they do. They apply the violence, we don't," Rousseff said.

Rousseff is facing impeachment proceedings in Congress on allegations she violated fiscal laws. The Brazilian president is battling the biggest recession in decades and a corruption probe that has circled in on members of her inner circle. With a lower house vote on impeachment expected in mid-April, Rousseff and her allies are looking to secure the support of smaller parties. She needs 172 out of 513 votes to stop the impeachment proceedings.