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| 1985 Brazilian presidential election | |
|---|---|
| Election name | 1985 Brazilian presidential election |
| Country | Brazil |
| Type | indirect |
| Election date | 15 January 1985 |
| Previous election | 1978 Brazilian legislative election |
| Next election | 1989 Brazilian presidential election |
| Turnout | n/a |
1985 Brazilian presidential election was the indirect vote held by the Electoral College that selected the successor to President João Figueiredo during Brazil's transition from the Brazilian military regime to civilian rule. The contest, framed by the opposition movement against the National Renewal Alliance Party and the emergence of the Brazilian Democratic Movement Party, culminated in a vote that symbolized the shift toward democratization amid economic crisis and social mobilization. The outcome featured major political figures, influential parties, and institutions that shaped the late Cold War era in Latin America.
By the early 1980s Brazil was governed under the wake of the 1979 Amnesty Law and the gradual abertura initiated by President Ernesto Geisel, followed by his successor João Figueiredo. Pressure for a return to civilian rule increased through campaigns such as the Diretas Já movement that mobilized activists like Tancredo Neves, Ulysses Guimarães, and cultural figures including Chico Buarque and Caetano Veloso. Economic turmoil featuring the Latin American debt crisis, soaring inflation, and disputes with creditors such as the International Monetary Fund weakened the ruling Brazilian Democratic Movement's opponents, particularly the National Renewal Alliance Party, and emboldened opposition coalitions like the Brazilian Democratic Movement Party and the Democratic Social Party. Legislative reforms in the 1982 Brazilian legislative election and state governorships secured by figures such as Marcelo Miranda and Leonel Brizola signaled political realignment that set the stage for the Electoral College vote.
The presidency in January 1985 was determined by an Electoral College established under the 1967 Constitution of 1967 and modified by later acts involving the National Congress of Brazil and state legislative assemblies. The Electoral College combined votes from members of the Chamber of Deputies, the Federal Senate, and elected State Legislative Assemblies following the 1982 elections. Debates in the Constituent Assembly and interventions by jurists such as José Afonso da Silva and politicians like Ulysses Guimarães influenced procedural adaptations. International observers from countries including United States, France, and organizations such as the Organization of American States monitored the transition climate, while the outgoing administration under João Figueiredo negotiated a peaceful transfer that involved key ministries and the High Command of the Armed Forces.
The principal candidates were the opposition leader Tancredo Neves representing a broad coalition including the Brazilian Democratic Movement Party allied with the Democratic Social Party dissidents, and the official candidate backed by the military-aligned party, Paulo Maluf, associated with the National Renewal Alliance Party's successor movements. Running mates and campaign surrogates included figures like José Sarney, Ulysses Guimarães, and regional leaders such as Brizola and Mário Covas. Campaign negotiations involved the Brazilian Socialist Party, the Workers' Party, and centrist factions from the Democratic Labour Party. Mass mobilizations under the Diretas Já banner, rallies in cities like São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Belo Horizonte, and endorsements from cultural icons including Gilberto Gil and Gal Costa shaped public discourse. Economic policy debates invoked references to stabilization proposals linked to technocrats from institutions like the Central Bank of Brazil and advisers trained at universities such as the University of São Paulo and the Catholic University of Brasília.
On 15 January 1985 the Electoral College voted, producing a victory for the Tancredo Neves–José Sarney ticket over the Paulo Maluf ticket. The count reflected alliances across the Federal Senate and the Chamber of Deputies, with senators and deputies from states including Minas Gerais, São Paulo, and Bahia casting decisive ballots. The final tally underscored defections from pro-government ranks and endorsements by centrist and left-leaning parties. The announcement prompted immediate reactions from political institutions like the Supreme Federal Court and the Presidential Palace, as well as public demonstrations in plazas such as the Praça da Sé and the Esplanada dos Ministérios.
Although Tancredo Neves fell ill before inauguration and died shortly thereafter, José Sarney assumed the acting presidency and then the presidency, completing the transition to civilian rule and initiating the process that led to the 1988 Constitution of 1988 promulgated by the National Constituent Assembly. The Sarney administration confronted challenges including inflation control, negotiations with creditors such as Petrobras stakeholders and international banks, and social policy recalibrations involving ministries like the Ministry of Health (Brazil) and the Ministry of Education (Brazil). The episode reshaped party dynamics among the Brazilian Democratic Movement Party, the Workers' Party, and emerging coalitions, influenced subsequent elections such as the 1989 Brazilian presidential election, and affected Brazil's foreign relations with nations like Argentina, United States, and multilateral bodies including the International Monetary Fund.
Electoral College votes mirrored regional power bases: blocs from Minas Gerais and São Paulo provided pivotal support, while representatives from Northeast states such as Bahia and Pernambuco reflected alignment with opposition coalitions led by figures like Brizola. Urban legislators from metropolises including Rio de Janeiro and Belo Horizonte tended to back reformist tickets, influenced by labor movements linked to unions such as the Central Única dos Trabalhadores and student organizations from institutions like the University of Brasília. Rural state assemblies, including representatives from Paraná and Rio Grande do Sul, displayed varied voting driven by local elites, agrarian interests, and party networks tied to the Democratic Social Party and the Brazilian Democratic Movement Party.
Category:1985 elections in Brazil