Page 25 - InvestmentGuideBrasilEng

POLITICAL

MATURE DEMOCRACY constitutional democracy, with a The President of Brazil is Brazil’s Head of State

? Executive authority:
? Brazil is a federal republic and
presidential system of government
WITH STRONG largest democracy and Government, elected by universal adult suf-
frage in a two-round system. The current Presi-
? Brazil is the world’s fourth-
dent is Dilma Rousseff (since January 1, 2011), the
first woman to be elected President of Brazil. The
President is advised by her Cabinet, composed of
? Full name:
INSTITUTIONS Federative Republic of Brazil Ministers entrusted with a specific portfolio of
responsibility.
? Capital:
? Legislative authority:
Brasilia
The Congress of Brazil is divided into the House
? National Day: of Representatives and the Federal Senate. Both
houses are elected by universal adult suffrage.
Since a return to democracy in the early September 7 (Independence Day, celebrates the The current Speaker of the House is Rep. Hen-
1980s, Brazil has sought to improve end of colonialism in Brazil) rique Eduardo Alves. The current Speaker of the
accountability and ensure a strict Senate is Sen. Renan Calheiros.
separation of powers. In 1988 Brazil ? Form of government:
adopted a new Constitution, which Brazil is a federal presidential republic and con- ? Judicial authority:
is Brazil’s highest law of the land. The stitutional democracy. The Constitution of Brazil Brazil’s judiciary is independent from both the ex-
Constitution enshrines liberal democ- (ratified in 1988) ensures the separation of pow- ecutive and legislative branches. The highest lev-
racy in Brazil. ers between the executive, legislative and judicial el is the Federal Supreme Court. Supreme Court
branches. Justices are appointed by the President upon va-
cancies arising following the retirement or death
The Constitution provides for executive power the same time as those to the Presidency and the of an incumbent. The current Chief Justice is Joa-
to be vested in a President, who is both Head of House of Representatives, but Senate terms are quim Barbosa.
State and Head of the Government, and is elected staggered, so either two-thirds or one-third of
by universal adult suffrage. The current President seats will be up for a vote in any given election.
of Brazil is Dilma Rousseff, an economist who Brazil’s judiciary is independent from the leg-
campaigned against Brazil’s military government islative and executive branches. The highest court
in the 1960s and 1970s. The President of Brazil is in the land is the Federal Supreme Court. Justices
elected for a term of four years, and can be reelect- to the court are appointed by the President when
ed once. vacancies arise.
The legislative branch is the National Con- Since the 1980s, Brazil’s government has been
gress, which is divided into two houses: the House led by six presidents, each with different policies
of Representatives, the members of which reflect and visions for Brazil’s development. Transitions
the relative populations or the states they repre- from one administration to the next are smooth
sent, and the Federal Senate, which ensures equal and ensure continuity, including with regard to
representation of all states and the Federal Dis- long-term investment plans.
trict. Elections to the House of Representatives Today, Brazil participates in the Open Gov-
are held every four years under a system of pro- ernment Partnership, a multilateral initiative
portional representation. Elections to the House aimed at promoting transparency, increasing
of Representatives coincide with the presidential civic participation, combatting corruption and
elections. The Federal Senate is elected by a first- harnessing new technologies to improve the ac-
past-the-post system, with senators elected to countability, effectiveness and openness of par-
serve an eight-year term. Elections take place at ticipating governments.
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