Brazilian Politics in the 1990

1
Brazilian Politics in the 1990s

• The New Democracy

2
Presidential Election of 1994

• Itamar Franco as a caretaker president
• Another accidental presidency
• Fernando Henrique Cardoso as architect of
  economic recovery Real Plan
• Resounding victory over Lula
• Cardoso 54
• Luis Inacio Lula de Silva 27

3
Presidential Election of 1998

• Again Fernando Henrique Cardoso
• Luis Inacio Lula de Silva 32
• Cardoso 53
• Winning coalition
• Social Democrats (PSDB)
• Liberal Front (PFL)
• Labor Party (PTB)

4
Institutions of the New Republic

• Patterned on U.S. Constitutions separation of
  powers
• President elected directly by people
• Bicameral Congress
• Chamber of Deputies (513 members)
• SenateThree members from each state and the
  Federal District (81 members)
• Supreme Court (power of judicial review)

5
The Presidency and the Congress

• Formal powers among the most sweeping in Latin
  America
• Veto legislation (wholly or in part)
• Can initiate legislation including public
  spending
• Can force congress to take up legislation deemed
  urgent
• Multi-party system forces president to build
  coalitions

6
Robust Federalism

• 1988 constitution over-represents small states
• Half of tax revenue returned to states with no
  mandates as to how money will be spent
• Assists in maintaining clientilism at local level
• Congressmen tasked with bringing home the bacon
• Implications of Itamar Francos challenge (as
  Governor of Minas Gerias) to the national
  executive