Brazil

This article is part of the series: Politics and government of Brazil Image File history File links Coat_of_arms_of_Brazil. ...

Constitution Executive Branch President Vice President Chief of Staff Cabinet Solicitor-General Attorney-General National Congress Federal Senate Chamber of Deputies Judiciary Branch Supreme Federal Tribunal Elections in Brazil Political Parties in Brazil Gun referendum 2006 general election States Governors Human Rights Foreign Relations

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Politics of Brazil takes place in a framework of a federal presidential representative democratic republic, whereby the President of Brazil is both head of state and head of government, and of a pluriform multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the two chambers of the National Congress. The Judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature. Brazil is divided in 26 states and a federal district. The cabinet of Brazil, called ministério, is the executive branch of the brazilian government. ... Brazilian Presidential Standard The President of Brazil is both the head of state and head of government of the Federative Republic of Brazil. ... Category: ... The Chief of Staff (Portuguese: Chefe da Casa Civil) is the highest-ranking member of the Executive Office of Brazil, and a senior aide to the President. ... The cabinet of Brazil, called ministério, is the executive branch of the brazilian government. ... Please see discussion tab *** The Office of the Advocate-General is the Brazilian institution which, directly or indirectly, represents the federal government either in judicial or non-judicial instances, being also in charge of legal advising for the governments administration. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... Brazils bicameral National Congress (Portuguese: Congresso Nacional) consists of the Federal Senate and the Chamber of Deputies. ... In its present configuration, the Brazilian Senate (Portuguese: Senado Federal) is a federal legislative body and the upper house of the National Congress of Brazil. ... The Chamber of Deputies of Brazil (Portuguese: Câmara dos Deputados) is a federal legislative body and the lower house of the National Congress of Brazil. ... The Politics series Politics Portal This box:      In the law, the judiciary or judicial system is the system of courts which administer justice in the name of the sovereign or state, a mechanism for the resolution of disputes. ... The Supreme Federal Tribunal (in Portuguese Supremo Tribunal Federal, or simply STF) is the highest court of law of the Federative Republic of Brazil. ... Brazil elects on the national level a head of state – the president – and a legislature. ... This article lists political parties in Brazil. ... On October 23, 2005 Brazil held a Federal-wide referendum on article 35 of the Disarmament Statute. ... In 2006, Brazil held general elections in two rounds. ... Brazil is divided into twenty-six estados (states; singular estado) and one district, the Distrito Federal (Federal District) which contains the capital city, Brasília. ... This is a list of the current governors of the States of Brazil. ... There are serious issues in regard to abuses of human rights in Brazil. ... Traditionally, Brazil has been a leader in the inter-American community and has played an important role in collective security efforts, as well as in economic cooperation in the Western Hemisphere. ... Information on politics by country is available for every country, including both de jure and de facto independent states, inhabited dependent territories, as well as areas of special sovereignty. ... A map displaying todays federations. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Representative democracy is a form of government founded on the principles of popular sovereignty by the peoples representatives. ... Look up republic in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Brazilian Presidential Standard The President of Brazil is both the head of state and head of government of the Federative Republic of Brazil. ... For the comedy film of the same name, see Head of State (film). ... The head of government is the chief officer of the executive branch of a government, often presiding over a cabinet. ... Under the doctrine of the separation of powers, the executive is the branch of a government charged with implementing, or executing, the law. ... A legislature is a governmental deliberative body with the power to adopt laws. ... Brazils bicameral National Congress (Portuguese: Congresso Nacional) consists of the Federal Senate and the Chamber of Deputies. ... The Politics series Politics Portal This box:      In the law, the judiciary or judicial system is the system of courts which administer justice in the name of the sovereign or state, a mechanism for the resolution of disputes. ... For other uses, see State (disambiguation). ... Federal districts are subdivisions of a federal system of government. ...

Short political history

Throughout its history, Brazil has struggled to build a democratic and egalitarian society, despite its origins as a plantation colony and the strong influence of slavery. For other uses, see Democracy (disambiguation). ... Fundamentally, a plantation is usually a large farm or estate, especially in a tropical or semitropical country, on which cotton, tobacco, coffee, sugar cane, or trees and the like is cultivated, usually by resident laborers. ...

Empire

Main article: Empire of Brazil

in 1822 the Prince Pedro de Alcântara, son of portuguese King, D. João VI, proclaimed the independence. He was the first Emperor (Pedro I) until 1831, after his resignation; the second Emperor was his elder son Pedro II; formally, was elections, restricted to few electors (censitary vote). The Empire of Brazil was a political entity that comprised present-day Brazil under the rule of Emperors Pedro I and his son Pedro II. Founded in 1822, it was replaced by a republic in 1889. ... 1822 (MDCCCXXII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ...

Old Republic

Main article: History of Brazil (1889–1930)

Main article: Café com leite

In 1889, marshal Deodoro da Fonseca declared the republic, by a coup d'état. Until 1930, Brazilian republic was formally a democracy, although the power was concentrated in the hands of powerful land owners. The period of Brazilian History, from 1889 to 1930, is commonly called the República Velha (Old Republic). ... Café com leite (Portuguese: coffee with milk) was a term that referred to the domination of Brazilian politics under the Old Republic (1889-1930) by the landed gentries of São Paulo (dominated by the coffee industry) and Minas Gerais (dominated by dairy interests). ... Year 1889 (MDCCCLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Sunday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Deodoro da Fonseca (Manuel) Deodoro da Fonseca (August 5, 1827 - August 23, 1892) overthrew Emperor Pedro II to become the first president of a Republic of Brazil. ... // A coup dÉtat (pronounced ), or simply coup, is the sudden overthrow of a government, often through illegal means by a part of the state establishment — mostly replacing just the high-level figures. ... Year 1930 (MCMXXX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display 1930 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Vargas years

Main article: Getúlio Vargas

Main article: Estado Novo (Brazil)

In 1930, a bloodless coup led Getúlio Vargas to power. For about 15 years, he controlled the country's politics, with a brief three-year constitutional interregnum from 1934 to 1937. A longer, heavier regime, the (Estado Novo) had loose ties with European fascism and spanned the years 1938 to 1945. Getúlio Dornelles Vargas (pron. ... Estado Novo (Portuguese for New State) was the name of the authoritarian government installed in Brazil by President Getúlio Dornelles Vargas in 1937. ... Year 1930 (MCMXXX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display 1930 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... // A coup dÉtat (pronounced ), or simply coup, is the sudden overthrow of a government, often through illegal means by a part of the state establishment — mostly replacing just the high-level figures. ... Getúlio Dornelles Vargas (pron. ... Estado Novo (Portuguese for New State) was the name of the authoritarian government installed in Brazil by President Getúlio Dornelles Vargas in 1937. ... Fascism is an authoritarian political ideology (generally tied to a mass movement) that considers individual and other societal interests subordinate to the needs of the state, and seeks to forge a type of national unity, usually based on, but not limited to, ethnic, cultural, or racial attributes. ...

Populist years

Main article: History of Brazil (1945–1964)

Like most of Latin America, Brazil experienced times of political instability after the Second World War. When Vargas was ousted from the presidency in another bloodless coup d'état, in 1945, a new and modern constitution was passed and the country had its first experience with an effective and wide-spread democracy. But the mounting tension between populist politicians (like Vargas himself and, later, Janio Quadros) and the right led to a crisis that ultimately brought up the military coup d'état in 1964, now known to have been supported by the Central Intelligence Agency. The period between 1964 in Brazilian history, that is also known as Second Republic, was marked by a huge political instability. ... Latin America consists of the countries of South America and some of North America (including Central America and some the islands of the Caribbean) whose inhabitants mostly speak Romance languages, although Native American languages are also spoken. ... Year 1945 (MCMXLV) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar). ... Jânio da Silva Quadros (January 25, 1917—February 16, 1992) was a Brazilian politician who was briefly President of Brazil in 1961. ... Also Nintendo emulator: 1964 (emulator). ... “CIA” redirects here. ...

Military dictatorship

Main article: History of Brazil (1964–1985)

In 1964 a military-led coup d'etat deposed the democratically-elected president of Brazil, João Goulart. Between 1964 and 1985, Brazil was governed by the military, with a two-party system, with a pro-government National Renewal Alliance Party (ARENA) and an opposition Brazilian Democratic Movement (MDB). Thousands of politicians (including former president Juscelino Kubitschek) had their political rights suspended, and military-sanctioned indirect elections were held for most elected positions until political liberalization during the government of João Figueiredo. The military maintained power in Brazil from 1964 until March 1985 because of political struggles within the regime and Brazilian elite. ... Also Nintendo emulator: 1964 (emulator). ... This article is about the year. ... A two-party system is a form of party system where two major political parties dominate the voting in nearly all elections. ... The National Renewal Alliance Party or Aliança Renovadora Nacional (ARENA) was a conservative political party that existed in Brazil between 1965 and 1979. ... The Brazilian Democratic Movement (MDB) was a centrist political party in Brazil that existed from 1965 to 1979. ... Juscelino Kubitschek and his wife Juscelino Kubitschek de Oliveira (JK) (September 12, 1902-August 22, 1976) was a prominent Brazilian politician who was President of Brazil from 1956 to 1961. ... João Baptista de Oliveira Figueiredo (January 15, 1918–December 24, 1999) was a Brazilian military leader and politician. ...

New Republic (1985-1990)

Main article: José Sarney

Main article: History of Brazil (1985–present)

In 1985, the military were defeated in an election according to the scheme they had set up -- as a consequence of the loss of political support among the elites. The opposition candidate, Tancredo Neves, was elected President, but did not take office before he died of natural causes. Fearing a political vacuum -- that might stifle the democratic effort -- Neves' supporters urged vice-president, José Sarney to take the oath and govern the country. Tancredo Neves had said that his election and the demise of military régime would create a "New Republic" and Sarney's term of government is often referred to by this name. To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... This article is about the year. ... Tancredo de Almeida Neves, more commonly Tancredo Neves (pron. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ...

Sarney's government was disastrous in almost every field. The ongoing economic recession and the soaring external debt drained the country's assets while ravaging inflation (which later turned into hyperinflation) demonetized the currency and prevented any stability. In an attempt to revolutionize the economy and defeat inflation, Sarney carried on an ambitious "heterodox" economic plan (Cruzado) in 1986, which included price controls, default of the external debts and reduction of salaries. The plan seemed successful for some months, but it soon caused wholesale shortage of consumer goods (especially of easily exportable goods like meat, milk, automobiles, grains, sugar and alcohol) and the appearance of a black market in which such goods were sold for higher prices. Sarney used the popularity ensued by the apparent success of the plan to secure the hugest electoral win in Brazilian history: the party he had just joined, Brazilian Democratic Movement Party (PMDB), won 26 out of 27 states and more than 3,000 municipalities. Just after the elections, Sarney's "corrections" to the economy failed to control inflation and the public perception that he had used an artificial control of inflation to win the elections proved to be his undoing: he never recovered his popularity and was plagued by strong criticism from most sectors of society until the end of his term. Despite popular rejection, Sarney managed to extend his term from four to five years and exerted pressure on the Constitutional Assembly that was drafting the new constitution to abort the adoption of Parliamentarism. A recession is usually defined in macroeconomics as a fall of a countrys Gross National Product in two successive quarters. ... Certain figures in this article use scientific notation for readability. ... The Cruzado was the monetary unit of Brazil from 1986 to 1990. ... The Brazilian Democratic Movement Party (Portuguese: Partido do Movimento Democrático Brasileiro, PMDB) is the successor of the Brazilian Democratic Movement. ... A parliamentary system, or parliamentarism, is distinguished by the executive branch of government being dependent on the direct or indirect support of the parliament, often expressed through a vote of confidence. ...

Collor government (1990-1992)

Main article: Fernando Collor de Mello

In 1989 Fernando Collor de Mello was elected president for the term from 1990-1994. The elections were marked by unanimous condemnation of José Sarney, with all candidates trying to keep distance from him. Fernando Affonso Collor de Mello, pron. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ...

Collor made some very bold statements, like saying that the Brazilian industry (of which the Brazilians used to be very proud) was mostly obsolete and polluting or that defaulting the debt was equal to not paying the rent. He also took quite revolutionary measures, like reducing the number of ministeries to only 12 and naming Zélia Cardoso de Mello Minister of Economy (the highest position so far enjoyed by a woman in Brazil) or removing existing barriers to importing of goods. Zélia Cardoso de Mello (b. ...

His inflation control plan was based on an attempt to control prices and a complicated currency conversion process that prevented people from cashing their bank accounts for 18 months.

All of this made him quite unpopular and denied him support in the parliament that he needed since his own party held few seats. At the beginning of his third year in office, he resigned as a result of in a huge corruption scandal. The charges against him were later be dropped, some on mere technicalities, some for actually being irrelevant or false.

Collor desperately tried to resist impeachment by rallying the support of the youth and of the lower classes, but his call for help was answered by massive popular demonstrations, led mostly by students, demanding his resignation. Depiction of the impeachment trial of Andrew Johnson, then President of the United States, in 1868. ...

Itamar government (1992-1994)

Main article: Itamar Franco

In 1992, the vice-president, Itamar Franco, took office as president and managed to evade the most feared consequences of Collor's downfall. He had to face a country with hyper-inflation, high levels of misery and unemployment. Far-left organizations were trying to turn the anti-Collor campaign into a wider revolutionary fight to overthrow the regime. Itamar finally granted full powers to his Minister of Economy, Fernando Henrique Cardoso, so the minister could launch the Plano Real, a new economic plan that seemed to be just the same as the many unsuccessful plan launched by Sarney, Collor and their military predecessor. But the Real was a success, and terminated inflation in a few months. Itamar Augusto Cautiero Franco, pron. ... The Plano Real (Portuguese, Real Plan) was a set of measures taken to stabilize the Brazilian economy in the early 1990s, under the direction of Fernando Henrique Cardoso as the Minister of Finance. ...

Cardoso government (1995-2003)

Main article: Fernando Henrique Cardoso

In 1994, Cardoso launched his Plano Real, a successful economic reform that managed to permanently rid the country of the excessive inflation that had plagued it for more than forty years. The plan consisted in replacing the discredited old currency (cruzeiro and cruzeiro real) and pegging its value temporarily to the United States dollar. Inflation – which had become a fact of Brazilian life – was cut dramatically, a change that the Brazilians took years to get used to. Because of the success of Plano Real, Cardoso was chosen by his party to run for president and, with the strong support of Franco, eventually won, beating Luis Inácio Lula da Silva, who had emerged as the favorite only one year before. Fernando Henrique Cardoso (born June 18, 1931) was the President of the Federative Republic of Brazil for two terms from January 1, 1995 to January 1, 2003. ... Year 1994 (MCMXCIV) The year 1994 was designated as the International Year of the Family and the International Year of the Sport and the Olympic Ideal by the United Nations. ... The Plano Real (Portuguese, Real Plan) was a set of measures taken to stabilize the Brazilian economy in the early 1990s, under the direction of Fernando Henrique Cardoso as the Minister of Finance. ... // First Cruzeiro, 1942-1967 The cruzeiro (Cr$) was the monetary unit of Brazil from 1942 to 1986. ... The cruzeiro real (CR$) was a short-lived monetary unit in Brazil which replaced the last version of the cruzeiro, with 1,000 cruzeiros = 1 cruzeiro real. ... “USD” redirects here. ... Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (born October 6, 1945) is a left-wing Brazilian politician. ...

Cardoso's term was marked by other major changes in Brazilian politics and economy. Public services and state-owned companies were privatized (some for values supposedly too cheap according to his adversaries), the strong real made it easy to import goods, forcing Brazilian industry to modernize and compete (which had the side effect of causing many of them to be bought by foreign companies). During his first term, a constitutional amendment was passed to enable a sitting Executive chief to run for re-election, after which he again beat Lula in 1998. This article does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... ISO 4217 Code BRL User(s) Brazil Inflation 3. ...

Lula government (2003-present)

Main article: Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva

In 2002, on his fourth try, Lula was elected president. In part his victory was derived from the considerable unpopularity of Cardoso's second term, which failed to decrease the economic inequality, and in part from a softening of his and the party's radical stance, including a vice-presidential candidate from the Liberal Party, acceptance of an International Monetary Fund (IMF) accord agreed to by the previous government and a line of discourse friendly to the markets. This article does not cite its references or sources. ... Also see: 2002 (number). ... The Liberal Party (Portuguese: Partido Liberal) is a political party of Brazil. ... “IMF” redirects here. ...

Despite some achievements on solving part of the country's biggest problems, his term was plagued by multiple corruption scandals that rocked his cabinet, forcing some members to resign their posts.

In 2006 Lula regained part of his popularity and ran for re-election. After almost winning on the first round, he won the run-off against Geraldo Alckmin from Brazilian Social Democracy Party (PSDB), by a 20 million votes margin. Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Geraldo Alckmin Geraldo José Rodrigues Alckmin (born in Pindamonhangaba, São Paulo, November 7, 1952) is a Brazilian politician and former governor of São Paulo. ... The Brazilian Social Democracy Party (Partido da Social Democracia Brasileira) is a political party in Brazil. ...

Constitution

Main article: Constitution of Brazil

Brazil has had seven constitutions: This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

• Constitution of 1824 – the first Brazilian constitution, enacted by Dom Pedro I. It was monarchic, hereditary and highly centralized, permitting the vote only to property-holders.
• Constitution of 1891 – the republic was proclaimed in 1889, but a new constitution was not promulgated until 1891. This federalist, democratic constitution was heavily influenced by the U.S. model. However, women and illiterates were not permitted to vote.
• Constitution of 1934 – when Getúlio Vargas came to power in 1930, he canceled the 1891 constitution and did not permit a new one until 1934. The Constitutionalist Revolution of 1932 forced Vargas to enact a new democratic constitution that permitted women's suffrage. Getúlio Vargas was elected president by the Constitutional Assembly to a four-year term, beginning in 1933.
• Constitution of 1937 – Getúlio Vargas suppressed a Communist uprising in 1935 and used it as a pretext to establish autocratic rule. He instituted a corporatist constitution nicknamed the polish, written by Francisco Campos.
• Constitution of 1946 – after a military coup ousted dictatorial Getúlio Vargas, an Assembly wrote a democratic constitution.
• Constitution of 1967 – after the 1964 coup d'État against João Goulart, the military dictatorship passed the Institutional Acts, a supraconstitutional law. This strongly undemocratic constitution simply incorporated these Acts.
• Constitution of 1988 – the progressive redemocratization culminated in the current constitution. Very democratic, it is more expansive than a normal constitution – many statutory acts in other countries are written into this constitution, like Social Security and taxes.

Pedro I, Emperor of Brazil (pron. ... Motto: (Out Of Many, One) (traditional) In God We Trust (1956 to date) Anthem: The Star-Spangled Banner Capital Washington D.C. Largest city New York City None at federal level (English de facto) Government Federal constitutional republic  - President George Walker Bush (R)  - Vice President Dick Cheney (R) Independence from... Getúlio Dornelles Vargas (pron. ... The Constitutionalist Revolution of 1932 is the name given to the uprising of the state of São Paulo against the federal government Brazil. ... João Belchior Marques Goulart (March 1, 1918—December 6, 1976) was the last left-wing president of Brazil (1961–March 31, 1964) The surname Goulart is of Azorean-Flemish origin. ...

Executive branch

The 1988 constitution grants broad powers to the federal government, made up of executive, legislative, and judicial branches. The president holds office for four years, with the right to re-election for an additional four-year term, and appoints his own cabinet. Brazilian Presidential Standard The President of Brazil is both the head of state and head of government of the Federative Republic of Brazil. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... The Workers Party is a name used by various political parties throughout the world. ... is the 1st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Category: ... The Vice-President and Minister of Defense José Alencar. ... The Liberal Party (Portuguese: Partido Liberal) is a political party of Brazil. ... The Brazilian Republican Party (Portuguese: Partido Republicano Brasileiro) is a Brazilian political party. ... is the 1st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Legislative branch

Main article: National Congress of Brazil

National Congress of Brazil.

The bicameral National Congress or Congresso Nacional consists of Brazils bicameral National Congress (Portuguese: Congresso Nacional) consists of the Federal Senate and the Chamber of Deputies. ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (2130x1343, 1584 KB) [edit] Summary Brazilian Congress being washed by rain (architecture by Oscar Niemeyer) Author:Eurico Zimbres Date:19,January,2006 Free for all use [edit] Licensing File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (2130x1343, 1584 KB) [edit] Summary Brazilian Congress being washed by rain (architecture by Oscar Niemeyer) Author:Eurico Zimbres Date:19,January,2006 Free for all use [edit] Licensing File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file... Brazils bicameral National Congress (Portuguese: Congresso Nacional) consists of the Federal Senate and the Chamber of Deputies. ... Brazils bicameral National Congress (Portuguese: Congresso Nacional) consists of the Federal Senate and the Chamber of Deputies. ...

1. the Federal Senate or Senado Federal, which has 81 seats -- three members from each state or federal district elected according to the principle of majority to serve eight-year terms; one-third elected after a four year period, two-thirds elected after the next four-year period; and
2. the Chamber of Deputies or Câmara dos Deputados, which has 513 seats; deputies are elected by proportional representation to serve four-year terms.

The seats are allotted proportionally to each state's population, but each state is eligible for a minimum of eight seats and a maximum of 70 seats. The result is a system weighted in favor of smaller states. Brazils bicameral National Congress (Portuguese: Congresso Nacional) consists of the Federal Senate and the Chamber of Deputies. ... The Chamber of Deputies of Brazil (Portuguese: Câmara dos Deputados) is a federal legislative body and the lower house of the National Congress of Brazil. ...

Fifteen political parties are represented in Congress. Since it is common for politicians to switch parties, the proportion of congressional seats held by particular parties changes regularly. Brazils bicameral National Congress (Portuguese: Congresso Nacional) consists of the Federal Senate and the Chamber of Deputies. ...

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Political parties and elections

Main article: List of political parties in Brazil

For other political parties see List of political parties in Brazil. An overview on elections and election results is included in Elections in Brazil.

This article lists political parties in Brazil. ... A political party is a political organization subscribing to a certain ideology or formed around very special issues. ... This article lists political parties in Brazil. ... An election is a decision making process whereby people vote for preferred political candidates or parties to act as representatives in government. ... Brazil elects on the national level a head of state – the president – and a legislature. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... Wikinews has news related to this article: Category:Political crisis in Brazil The Partido dos Trabalhadores (Portuguese for Workers Party) is a left-wing political party in Brazil. ... The Communist Party of Brazil (Partido Comunista do Brasil), better known by its abbreviation PCdoB, or its nickname Partidos dos Estúpidos Não Pensantes, is a political party in Brazil. ... The Brazilian Republican Party (Portuguese: Partido Republicano Brasileiro) is a Brazilian political party. ... The Liberal Party (Portuguese: Partido Liberal) is a political party of Brazil. ... The late President of PSB Miguel Arraes. ... The Progressive party is a right-wing Brazilian party embracing liberal-conservatism. ... Brazils Party of National Mobilization (Partido da Mobilização Nacional - PMN) is a national-centrist party founded by politicians from the state of Minas Gerais on April 21, 1984, advocating for agrarian reform, termination of debt payments, ending of relations with the IMF and formation of a trade bloc... Geraldo Alckmin Geraldo José Rodrigues Alckmin (born in Pindamonhangaba, São Paulo, November 7, 1952) is a Brazilian politician and former governor of São Paulo. ... The Brazilian Social Democracy Party (Partido da Social Democracia Brasileira) is a political party in Brazil. ... The Liberal Front Party (Partido da Frente Liberal) is a political party in Brazil. ... The Socialist Peoples Party (Portuguese: Partido Popular Socialista, PPS) is a political party in Brazil. ... Heloísa Helena in 2001 Heloísa Helena Lima de Moraes Carvalho (born June 6, 1963 in Pão de Açúcar) is a left-wing politician in Brazil. ... The Socialism and Freedom Party (Partido Socialismo e Liberdade, P-SOL) is a Brazilian political party. ... The Unified Socialist Workers Party (Portuguese: Partido Socialista dos Trabalhadores Unificado, PSTU) is a Trotskyist organisation in Brazil. ... Brazilian Communist Party (in Portuguese, Partido Comunista Brasileiro) is a political party in Brazil. ... This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ... For alternative meanings, see Democratic Labour Party The Democratic Labour Party (PDT) (Partido Democrático Trabalhista) is a left-wing political party in Brazil. ... Ana Rangel Maria (Rio de Janeiro, 21 May 1957) is a Brazilian politician, is the presidential candidate in 2006 for Progressive Republican Party). ... The Progressive Republican Party (Portuguese: Partido Republicano Progressista) is a Brazilian political party. ... José Eymael Maria (Porto Alegre, 2 November 1939) is one Brazilian politician. ... The Christian Social Democratic Party (Partido Social Democrata Cristão) is a christian-democratic political party in Brazil. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Categories: Politics stubs | Liberal related stubs | Liberal parties | Brazilian political parties ... Brazils bicameral National Congress (Portuguese: Congresso Nacional) consists of the Federal Senate and the Chamber of Deputies. ... The Chamber of Deputies of Brazil (Portuguese: Câmara dos Deputados) is a federal legislative body and the lower house of the National Congress of Brazil. ... Brazils bicameral National Congress (Portuguese: Congresso Nacional) consists of the Federal Senate and the Chamber of Deputies. ... Wikinews has news related to this article: Category:Political crisis in Brazil The Partido dos Trabalhadores (Portuguese for Workers Party) is a left-wing political party in Brazil. ... The Brazilian Democratic Movement Party (Portuguese: Partido do Movimento Democrático Brasileiro, PMDB) is the successor of the Brazilian Democratic Movement. ... The Brazilian Social Democracy Party (Partido da Social Democracia Brasileira) is a political party in Brazil. ... The Liberal Front Party (Partido da Frente Liberal) is a political party in Brazil. ... The Progressive party is a right-wing Brazilian party embracing liberal-conservatism. ... The late President of PSB Miguel Arraes. ... For alternative meanings, see Democratic Labour Party The Democratic Labour Party (PDT) (Partido Democrático Trabalhista) is a left-wing political party in Brazil. ... The Brazilian Labour Party (PTB) (Partido Trabalhista Brasileiro) is a right-wing political party based on clientelism that arose in Brazil in 1945 and today forms part of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silvas government. ... The Liberal Party (Portuguese: Partido Liberal) is a political party of Brazil. ... The Socialist Peoples Party (Portuguese: Partido Popular Socialista, PPS) is a political party in Brazil. ... The Brazilian Green Party (in Portuguese, Partido Verde - PV) was constituted after the military dictatorship period and, like other Green Parties arround the world, is committed to establishing an whole set of policies on ensuring social-democracy and sustainable development. ... The Communist Party of Brazil (Partido Comunista do Brasil), better known by its abbreviation PCdoB, or its nickname Partidos dos Estúpidos Não Pensantes, is a political party in Brazil. ... The Christian Social Party (Partido Social Cristão) is a political party in Brazil. ... The Socialism and Freedom Party (Partido Socialismo e Liberdade, P-SOL) is a Brazilian political party. ... The Party of the Reconstruction of the National Order (in Portuguese, Partido da Reedificação da Ordem Nacional, or PRONA for short) is a political party in Brazil, as being a nationalist party. ... Brazils Party of National Mobilization (Partido da Mobilização Nacional - PMN) is a national-centrist party founded by politicians from the state of Minas Gerais on April 21, 1984, advocating for agrarian reform, termination of debt payments, ending of relations with the IMF and formation of a trade bloc... The PRN or National Reconstruction Party (Partido da Reconstrução Nacional) was a liberal political party in Brazil. ... The Humanist Party of Solidarity (Portuguese: Partido Humanista da Solidariedade) is a Brazilian political party. ... The Christian Social Democratic Party (Partido Social Democrata Cristão) is a christian-democratic political party in Brazil. ... The Labour Party of Brazil (Partido Trabalhista do Brasil, PTdoB) is a tiny populist-centrist Brazilian political party. ... PAN logo. ... The Brazilian Republican Party (Portuguese: Partido Republicano Brasileiro) is a Brazilian political party. ... The Progressive Republican Party (Portuguese: Partido Republicano Progressista) is a Brazilian political party. ... Categories: Politics stubs | Liberal related stubs | Liberal parties | Brazilian political parties ... The Brazilian Labour Renewal Party (Partido Renovador Trabalhista Brasileiro, PRTB) is a tiny populist-centrist Brazilian political party. ... The Labour Party of Brazil (Partido Trabalhista Nacional, PTN) is a tiny populist-centrist Brazilian political party. ... The Unified Socialist Workers Party (Portuguese: Partido Socialista dos Trabalhadores Unificado, PSTU) is a Trotskyist organisation in Brazil. ... Brazilian Communist Party (in Portuguese, Partido Comunista Brasileiro) is a political party in Brazil. ... Workers Cause Party (in Portuguese: Partido da Causa Operária, PCO) is a political party in Brazil. ...

States and municipalities

Main article: States of Brazil

Brazil is divided into two types of subnational units: states and municipalities. Brazil is divided into twenty-six estados (states; singular estado) and one district, the Distrito Federal (Federal District) which contains the capital city, Brasília. ...

States

Brazilian states are semi-autonomous self-governing entities organized with complete administration branches, relative financial independence and their own set of symbols, similar to those owned by the nation itself. Despite their relative autonomy they all have the same model of administration, as set by the Constitution. The states are:

• Acre
• Alagoas
• Amapá
• Amazonas
• Bahia
• Ceará
• Distrito Federal*
• Espírito Santo
• Goiás
• Maranhão
• Mato Grosso
• Mato Grosso do Sul
• Minas Gerais
• Pará
• Paraíba
• Paraná
• Pernambuco
• Piauí
• Rio de Janeiro
• Rio Grande do Norte
• Rio Grande do Sul
• Rondônia
• Roraima
• Santa Catarina
• São Paulo
• Sergipe
• Tocantins.

States hold elections every four years and exercise a considerable amount of power. The 1988 constitution allows states to keep their own taxes, and mandates regular allocation of a share of the taxes collected locally by the federal government. Acre is a state of Brazil, located in the north_western part of the country. ... Flag of Alagoas See other Brazilian States Capital Maceió Largest City Maceió Area 27 818 km² Population   - Total   - Density 2 822 621 101. ... Flag of Amapá See other Brazilian States Capital Macapá Largest City Macapá Area 142 816 km² Population   - Total   - Density 477 032 3. ... Amazonas is the largest state of Brazil, located in the northern part of the country. ... Flag of Bahia See other Brazilian States Capital Salvador Largest City Salvador Area 564 273 km² Population   - Total   - Density 13 070 250 23. ... Flag of Ceará See other Brazilian States Capital Fortaleza Largest City Fortaleza Area 148,016 km² Population   - Total   - Density 6,500,000 43. ... The Brazilian Federal District (in Portuguese, Distrito Federal) is set apart for Brasília, the capital of Brazil. ... Flag of Espírito Santo See other Brazilian States Capital Vitória Largest City Vila Velha Area 46,184 km² Population   - Total   - Density 3 097 232 58. ... Flag of Goiás See other Brazilian States Capital Goiânia Largest City Goiânia Area 341 289 km² Population   - Total   - Density 4 848 725 14. ... Maranhão is one of the states of Brazil in the north-eastern region. ... Flag of Mato Grosso See other Brazilian States Capital Cuiabá Largest City Cuiabá Area 903,357. ... Flag of Mato Grosso do Sul See other Brazilian States Capital Campo Grande Largest City Campo Grande Area 358,158. ... Flag of Minas Gerais See other Brazilian States Capital Belo Horizonte Largest City Belo Horizonte Area 586,528. ... Flag of Pará See other Brazilian States Capital Belém Largest City Belém Area 1. ... Flag of Paraíba See other Brazilian States Capital João Pessoa Largest City João Pessoa Area 56. ... Flag of Paraná See other Brazilian States Capital Curitiba Largest City Curitiba Area 199,544 km² Population   - Total   - Density 9,150,000 48 inh. ... Flag of Pernambuco See other Brazilian States Capital Recife Largest City Recife Area 98,281 km² Population   - Total   - Density 7,918,344 80. ... Flag of Piauí See other Brazilian States Capital Teresina Largest City Teresina Area 250,934 km² Population   - Total   - Density 2,750,000 11 inh. ... Rio de Janeiro is one of the 26 states of Brazil (plus the Federal District). ... Flag of Rio Grande do Norte See other Brazilian States Capital Natal Largest City Natal Area 53,015 km² Population   - Total   - Density 2,770,730 52. ... Flag of Rio Grande do Sul See other Brazilian States Capital Porto Alegre Largest City Porto Alegre Area 282,062 km² Population   - Total   - Density 10. ... Flag of Rondônia See other Brazilian States Capital Porto Velho Largest City Porto Velho Area 238,512. ... Flag of Roraima See other Brazilian States Capital Boa Vista Largest City Boa Vista Area 225,116. ... BEGIN INFOBOX --> Motto: {{{national_motto}}} Anthem: {{{national_anthem}}} [[Image:> |290px|Location of Santa Catarina]] Capital {{{capital}}} {{{latd}}}°{{{latm}}}′ {{{latNS}}} {{{longd}}}°{{{longm}}}′ {{{longEW}}} Largest city Joinville Official languages {{{official_languages}}} Government {{{leader_titles}}} {{{government_type}}} {{{leader_names}}} {{{sovereignty_type}}} {{{established_events}}} {{{established_dates}}} Area  â€¢ Total  â€¢ Water (%)   [[{{{area_magnitude}}} m²|95. ... Flag of São Paulo See other Brazilian States Capital São Paulo Largest City São Paulo City Area 248,176. ... Flag of Sergipe See other Brazilian States Capital Aracaju Largest City Aracaju Area 21,994 km² Population   - Total   - Density 1,712,786 77. ... Tocantins is one of the states of Brazil. ...

The Executive role is held by the Governador (Governor) and his appointed Secretários (Secretaries); the Legislative role is held by the Assembléia Legislativa (Legislative Assembly); and the Judiciary role, by the Tribunal de Justiça (Law Court). The governors and the members of the assemblies are elected, but the members of the Judiciary are appointed by the governor from a list provided by the current members of the State Law Court containing only judges (these are chosen by merit in exams open to anyone with a Law degree). The name chosen by the governor must be approved by the Assembly before inauguration. The 1988 Constitution has granted the states the greatest amount of autonomy since the Old Republic.

Each of the 27 governors must achieve more than 50 per cent of the vote, including a second round run-off between the top two candidates if necessary. In contrast to the federal level, state legislatures are unicameral, although the deputies are elected through similar means, involving an open-list system in which the state serves as one constituency. State level elections occur at the same time as those for the presidency and Congress. In 2002, candidates from eight different parties won the gubernatorial contest while 28 parties are represented in the country’s state legislatures. The next set of elections took place in 2006.

The most important Brazilian states (in terms of population and economic power) are São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais, Rio Grande do Sul, Paraná, Bahia, Pernambuco and Pará. Flag of São Paulo See other Brazilian States Capital São Paulo Largest City São Paulo City Area 248,176. ... This article is about the Brazilian city. ... Flag of Minas Gerais See other Brazilian States Capital Belo Horizonte Largest City Belo Horizonte Area 586,528. ... Flag of Rio Grande do Sul See other Brazilian States Capital Porto Alegre Largest City Porto Alegre Area 282,062 km² Population   - Total   - Density 10. ... Flag of Paraná See other Brazilian States Capital Curitiba Largest City Curitiba Area 199,544 km² Population   - Total   - Density 9,150,000 48 inh. ... Flag of Bahia See other Brazilian States Capital Salvador Largest City Salvador Area 564 273 km² Population   - Total   - Density 13 070 250 23. ... Flag of Pernambuco See other Brazilian States Capital Recife Largest City Recife Area 98,281 km² Population   - Total   - Density 7,918,344 80. ... Flag of Pará See other Brazilian States Capital Belém Largest City Belém Area 1. ...

Municipalities

Main article: Municipalities of Brazil

Brazil has no clear distinction between towns and cities (in effect, the Portuguese word cidade means both). The only possible difference is regarding the municipalities that have a Law Court and those that do not. The first are called Sedes de Comarca (Comarca being the territory under the rule of that Court). Other than this, only size and importance differs one from another. Municipalities of Brazil This article is about the municipalities of Brazil. ...

The municipality (município) is a territory comprising one urban area, the sede (seat), from which it takes the name, and several other minor urban or rural areas, the distritos. The seat of a municipality must be the most populous urban area within it; when another urban area grows too much it usually splits from the original municipality to form another one.

A municipality is relatively autonomous: it is allowed to have its own constitution which is called organic law (Lei Organica), to collect taxes and fees, to maintain a municipal police force (albeit with very restricted powers), to pass laws on any matter that do not contradict either the state or the national constitution, and to imperson itself with symbols (like a flag, an anthem and a coat-of-arms). However, not all municipalities exercise the entirety of this autonomy. For instance, only a few municipalities keep local police forces, some of them do not collect some taxes (to attract investors or residents) and many of them do not have a flag (although they are all required to have a coat-of-arms).

Municipalities are governed by an elected prefeito (Mayor) and an unicameral Câmara de Vereadores (Cou