Brazil: Government

Political Parties

There are 27 political parties. The major political parties are:

PT

Labour Party

PMDB

Brazilian Democratic Movement Party

DEM(Former called PFL-Liberal Front Party)

Democrats

PSDB

Brazilian Social Democratic Party

PPB

Brazilian Progressive Party

PTB

Brazilian Workers Party 

Constitution

Brazil's present Constitution was promulgated in October 1988 following the restoration of civilian rule three years earlier. The Constitution established a Republic with a presidential form of government. A referendum in 1993 overwhelmingly supported this in favour of a monarchy and a parliamentary system. One significant amendment came in 1997 when the President and State Governors were allowed to seek a second consecutive term.

Brazil is a Federation comprising 26 States and the Federal District of Brasilia. Each state has its own administration, legislature and judiciary. The State Administration is headed by the Governor, who is directly elected by the people for a four-year term. The judiciary comprises the Federal Supreme Court, Court of Appeal and various subordinate bodies.

Executive

Presidential form of Government. President directly elected for 4 years.

Legislature

Bicameral

Senate -  81 Members
(Elected for 8 year term)
Chamber of Deputies - 513 Members
(2007-2010)

Head of State

Mr. Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
(Belongs to PT)

Vice-President

Mr. José de Alencar

Foreign Minister

Mr. Celso Amorim

Finance Minister

Mr. Guido Mantega

Agrarian Reform Minister

Mr. Guilherme Cassel

Agriculture Minister

Mr. Reinhold Stephanes

Budget & Planning Minister

Mr. Paulo Bernardo

Civil Chief-of-staff

Mrs. Dilma Rousseff

Communications Minister

Mr. Helio Costa

Defence Minister

Mr. Waldir Pires

Development, Industry and Commerce Minister

Mr. Miguel Jorge

Education Minister

Mr. Fernando Haddad

Environment Minister

Mrs. Marina Silva

Health Minister

Mr. José Temporao 

Justice & Human Rights Minister

Mr. Tarso Genro

Labour & Employment Minister

Mr. Carlos Lupi

Institutional Security Minister

Mr. Jorge Armando Felix

Mines & Energy Minister

Mr. Silas Rondeau

Cities

Mr. Marcio Fortes

Science & Technology Minister

Mr. Sergio Rezende

National Integration

Mr. Geddel Vieira Lima

Social Security Minister

Mr. Luiz marinho

Transport Minister

Mr. Alfredo Nascimento

Tourism

Mrs. Marta Suplicy

Social Development

Mr. Patrus Ananias

Fisheries

Mr. Altemir Gregolin

General Secretariat of the Presidency

Mr. Luiz Dulci

Sports

Mr. Orlando Silva Junior

Culture

Mr Gilberto Gil

General Attorney of the Union

Mr Antonio Fernando Souza