President of Brazil

President of Brazil
Post	President
Body	Brazil
Native name	Presidente do Brasil
Insigniacaption	Coat of arms of the presidency
Flagcaption	Standard of the president
Alt	Official portrait of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
Incumbent	Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
Incumbentsince	1 January 2023
Style	His/Her Excellency
Residence	Palácio da Alvorada
Seat	Brasília
Appointer	Direct election
Termlength	Four years, renewable once consecutively
Constituting instrument	Constitution of Brazil
Formation	15 November 1889
First	Deodoro da Fonseca
Salary	R$ 41,650.92 monthly
Website	[https://www.gov.br/planalto/ www.gov.br/planalto]

President of Brazil. The President of the Federative Republic of Brazil is both the head of state and head of government, leading the executive branch of the federal government. The office was established with the proclamation of the First Brazilian Republic in 1889, following the overthrow of the Empire of Brazil. The president is vested with significant powers under the Constitution of Brazil, including command of the Brazilian Armed Forces, and resides and works in the capital, Brasília.

History

The presidency originated with Marshal Deodoro da Fonseca, who became the first president after leading the military coup that deposed Emperor Pedro II. The Old Republic era saw power alternate between the oligarchies of São Paulo and Minas Gerais under the so-called "café com leite" politics. The Vargas Era, beginning with the Revolution of 1930, introduced a period of centralized power under Getúlio Vargas, who governed as both a democrat and a dictator. Subsequent periods include the democratic Second Brazilian Republic, the Brazilian military dictatorship established after the 1964 Brazilian coup d'état, and the restoration of civilian rule with the 1988 Brazilian Constitution. Key figures in the modern era include Fernando Henrique Cardoso, who implemented the Plano Real, and Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, whose administration was marked by social programs like Bolsa Família.

Powers and duties

The president holds extensive executive authority, including the power to appoint and dismiss ministers of state, such as those leading the Ministry of Economy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. As commander-in-chief, the president has supreme authority over the Brazilian Army, Brazilian Navy, and Brazilian Air Force. Legislative powers include the ability to initiate bills, veto legislation, and issue provisional measures with the force of law. The president also directs foreign policy, represents the nation in international forums like the United Nations and BRICS, and signs treaties subject to ratification by the National Congress of Brazil. Furthermore, the president is responsible for administering the federal budget and declaring a state of defense or state of siege.

Election and succession

The president is elected to a four-year term by direct popular vote under a Two-round system; a candidate must secure an absolute majority to win. The most recent election was the 2022 Brazilian general election. If the office falls vacant, the line of succession proceeds to the Vice President of Brazil, then to the presidents of the Chamber of Deputies, the Federal Senate, and the Supreme Federal Court, in that order. This succession was invoked following the resignation of President Jânio Quadros in 1961 and the impeachment of Dilma Rousseff in 2016. The president may be re-elected for one consecutive term, a rule established by a 1997 constitutional amendment during the presidency of Fernando Henrique Cardoso.

List of presidents

Brazil has had dozens of presidents since 1889, serving under various republican constitutions. The First Brazilian Republic was led by figures like Campos Sales and Hermes da Fonseca. The Vargas Era was dominated by Getúlio Vargas, who was later succeeded by presidents like Juscelino Kubitschek, the builder of Brasília. The military regime (1964–1985) included generals such as Humberto de Alencar Castelo Branco, Emílio Garrastazu Médici, and Ernesto Geisel. The New Republic began with José Sarney and includes notable leaders like Itamar Franco, Fernando Collor de Mello (who was impeached), Fernando Henrique Cardoso, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Dilma Rousseff, and Jair Bolsonaro. The current incumbent, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, began his third non-consecutive term in 2023.

Residence and workplace

The official residence of the president is the Palácio da Alvorada, designed by architect Oscar Niemeyer and located in Brasília. The primary workplace is the Palácio do Planalto, which houses the president's executive office and is the site of major governmental announcements. The Granja do Torto is a country retreat used by the first family. For ceremonial events and state visits, the president also utilizes the Itamaraty Palace, the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Historical residences include the Catete Palace in Rio de Janeiro, which served as the presidential palace from 1897 until the capital's move to Brasília in 1960.

Symbols and honors

The primary symbol of the office is the presidential standard, a green flag bearing the national coat of arms. The president is accorded the style of "Excellency" and is the grand master of the National Order of the Southern Cross and the Order of the Yellow Star. Ceremonial honors include a 21-gun salute and the playing of the presidential anthem, "Hino à Bandeira" (Hymn to the Flag), on state occasions. The president also awards other national honors, such as the Order of Rio Branco and the Order of Military Merit. The presidential seal is used to authenticate official documents and is featured on the facade of the Palácio do Planalto.

Category:Presidents of Brazil Category:Heads of state in South America Category:Government of Brazil