Hundreds of thousands of people joined in the protests held in cities across Brazil to express their growing loss of confidence over the leadership of President Dilma Rousseff.

Rousseff's government is currently mired in a bribery scandal in the midst of an economic slump.

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Joana Simoes Lopes, a fashion designer who is among the protesters, said, "If there was thievery all around her and they were looting the national oil company, then yes, the President is responsible. She should resign out of shame."

Lopes is referring to the espose of  the former executives at Petrobas, who said an elaborate scheme had enabled contractors to channel huge bribes to the 2010 election campaign kitty of Rousseff. The pay-off had allegedly taken place at the time Rousseff was heading the company's board of directors.

Since the controversy surfaced, clamor for her impeachment had intensified.

Despite the allegations, Rousseff preferred not to confront her accusers. While she says she recognizes the corruption within the national oil company, she maintains that there is no basis for her impeachment.

On her Facebook page, she posted a video wherein she said, "In this country, we all have the right to protest."

She reminded her critics and the public that she is not someone who would curtail civil liberties and the holding of street protests, as she had once opposed the dictatorship herself as a guerilla.

Aside from the bribery scandal, concerns are also increasing over the economic situation in Brazil.

The country's diverse economy remains stronger than its neighbors, Argentina and Venezuela. But a sense of crisis is still spreading through Brazil.

Its once-srong currency, the real, has plunged 23 percent against the dollar this year, as businessmen cut back on investments. Unemployment level is rising, and inflation has also increased to its highest level in nearly one decade.

These factors have made financial analysts say, it may be time for  Rousseff to change her top-down management style.

They also wonder if the scandal where is being implicated right now, has somewho contributed to the economic woes Brazil is currently facing.  

TagsDilma Rousseff, Bribery, anti-government protest