Brasilia, March 24 (RHC)-- On Wednesday, former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva told a gathering of supporters of the Worker's Party that they would not let the country's opposition mount a coup against President Dilma Rousseff.

“We will not permit a coup against Dilma!” exclaimed Lula to applause from the assembled trade union leaders.  The former Brazilian president insisted that the opposition is seeking to oust Rousseff undemocratically after having lost the most recent election. Lula vowed to help President Dilma Rousseff to govern the country "if it is the last thing I do in life."

The Worker's Party leader affirmed that he can do so even though the country's Supreme Court maintains veto power over his appointment as Rousseff's chief of staff.   And Lula asserted that he will be by President Rousseff's side even if his appointment as the president's chief of staff does not come to pass.