A majority of Brazil's Senate have said they will vote to suspend President Dilma Rousseff and open an impeachment trial, setting up a transfer of power Thursday to Vice President Michel Temer.

The marathon Senate debate reached the crucial number -- 41 out of 81 members in favor of impeachment -- in the early hours of Thursday after more than 17 hours of debate that will be followed by a vote. The leftist leader will be suspended for up to six months while senators decide her fate.