Vice President of Brazil
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| Vice President of Brazil | |
|---|---|
| Post | Vice President of Brazil |
| Native name | Vice‑Presidente do Brasil |
| Department | Presidency of the Republic |
| Style | His/Her Excellency |
| Status | Deputy head of state |
| Member of | Federal Cabinet |
| Seat | Palácio do Planalto |
| Appointer | Elected with the President |
| Termlength | Four years |
| Formation | 15 November 1889 |
| Inaugural | Floriano Peixoto |
Vice President of Brazil is the second-highest constitutional office in the Federative Republic of Brazil and the primary constitutional deputy to the President of Brazil. The office appears in successive Brazilian constitutions since the Proclamation of the Republic (1889), and has been held by military leaders, party stalwarts, and regional politicians from states such as São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais, and Bahia. Vice presidents have featured in landmark episodes involving figures like Getúlio Vargas, Juscelino Kubitschek, João Goulart, Fernando Collor de Mello, Itamar Franco, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and Jair Bolsonaro.
Role and constitutional functions
The vice president serves as immediate constitutional successor to the President of Brazil and as a member of the Federal Cabinet, the Supreme Court appointment process interplay, and national representation in international contexts such as meetings with the United Nations, Organisation of American States, and bilateral visits to countries like United States, China, Argentina, Germany, and France. The office is defined by articles in the 1988 Constitution that specify formal responsibilities including oath taking alongside the president, substitution for presidential duties during temporary impediment, and participation in state ceremonies such as the Independence Day parade. Historically, vice presidents have also served as senators, governors of states including Pernambuco, Rio Grande do Sul, and Ceará, and ministers in cabinets of leaders like Tancredo Neves, Itamar Franco, and Fernando Henrique Cardoso.
Election and term of office
The vice president is elected on a joint ticket with the presidential candidate under Brazil's direct popular vote system, pursuant to rules overseen by the Superior Electoral Court (Brazil), with campaigns regulated by the TSE and finance rules implemented after reforms following scandals such as the Mensalão scandal and the Operation Car Wash. The joint ticket system has produced combinations of candidates from coalitions including the Workers' Party, Brazilian Social Democracy Party, Social Liberal Party, Brazilian Democratic Movement and regional parties like the Progressistas and PSDB. Terms last four years, renewable once consecutively since the 1988 Constitution amendments, with eligibility and inauguration procedures codified in electoral law and constitutional articles influenced by transitions such as the Military dictatorship in Brazil (1964–1985) and the return to democracy.
Succession and acting presidency
Under the constitutional succession order, the vice president assumes the presidency upon the death, resignation, impeachment conviction, or permanent incapacity of the president, as occurred when Itamar Franco assumed the presidency after the impeachment of Fernando Collor de Mello, and when João Goulart previously succeeded commanders during political crises. During temporary impediments the vice serves as acting head of state, attending meetings with leaders from United Kingdom, Japan, Russia, and regional blocs like the MERCOSUR Council. Succession has triggered major political shifts, including appointments to the Minister of Finance and changes in coalition dynamics involving parties like PTB, PDT, and União Brasil.
Powers, duties, and political influence
Constitutionally, the vice president's formal powers are limited compared with the president, but incumbents often exercise influence through cabinet posts, legislative negotiation, and party leadership. Vice presidents have been pivotal in pension, fiscal, and infrastructure policy debates involving the Ministry of Economy (Brazil), the Ministry of Health (Brazil), and the National Congress, and in crises tied to entities such as the Federal Police and the Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES). Political influence depends on personal networks with governors from Mato Grosso, Paraná, Santa Catarina, and others, alliances with figures like Aécio Neves, Sérgio Moro, Ciro Gomes, Eduardo Cunha, and relationships with trade unions such as the Central Única dos Trabalhadores and business groups including the Confederação Nacional da Indústria. Vice presidents have also been central in controversies concerning impeachment processes, criminal investigations, and transitional administrations.
Historical list of vice presidents
The office dates to the early republic with holders such as Floriano Peixoto and continued through the administrations of Prudente de Morais, Campos Sales, Washington Luís, and complex periods like the Vargas Era when institutional roles shifted. Republican vice presidents include twentieth-century figures like Nilo Peçanha, Getúlio Vargas (who later became president), mid-century leaders such as Juscelino Kubitschek contemporaries, Cold War era politicians including João Café Filho, and modern democratic-era vice presidents like Marco Maciel, José Alencar, Michel Temer, Dilma Rousseff's running mates, and Hamilton Mourão. The office's incumbents reflect Brazil's regional, party, and military currents spanning from the Old Republic through the New Republic.
Residence, remuneration, and privileges
The vice president's official workplace is in the Palácio do Planalto complex and residence arrangements have varied historically between state-owned properties and private dwellings; security and transport are provided by agencies including the Federal Police and presidential aviation assets such as Brazilian Air Force. Remuneration is established by federal law and subject to congressional approval by the Chamber of Deputies and Federal Senate, with benefits that include official staff, transportation, and protocol privileges when attending events like sessions of the National Congress or state ceremonies with heads of state from Bolivia, Chile, Peru, Uruguay, and Paraguay.