Brazil Presidents and Prime Ministers
National Flag of Brazil
According to aceinland, the national flag of Brazil is a horizontal triband of blue, green and yellow. The colors were derived from the banner of the former Empire of Brazil, which was a monarchy that existed from 1822 to 1889. The colors represent the union of three distinct elements: the blue represents the sky and sea; green, the forests; and yellow stands for the country’s gold resources.
The design of Brazil’s flag is based on a flag created by Emperor Pedro I in 1822. It featured a white field with an imperial coat of arms in its center. After Pedro I abdicated in 1889, a new republican government was established and adopted a new republican flag featuring the current triband design.
At its center is a blue globe with 27 stars representing Brazil’s 26 states and one federal district (the capital city Brasilia). The number 27 also symbolizes independence from Portugal in 1822. The globe is surrounded by a white band bearing the national motto “Ordem e Progresso” (Order and Progress).
Brazil’s national flag has become an important symbol for Brazilians, representing both their past as an empire as well as their present as an independent nation-state. It appears on official documents, at sporting events and during celebrations such as Carnaval. It also serves to remind citizens that they are part of something larger than themselves – part of a unified nation-state with shared values and ideals.
Presidents of Brazil
Brazil has had a total of 18 presidents since 1889. The first president of Brazil was Deodoro da Fonseca, who was in office from 1889 to 1891 and marked the beginning of the Republic of Brazil. Since then, nine presidents have been democratically elected and nine have been appointed by the military.
The democratically elected presidents are: Prudente de Morais, Floriano Peixoto, Campos Sales, Rodrigues Alves, Nilo Peçanha, Hermes da Fonseca, Delfim Moreira, Washington Luis and Getulio Vargas. These leaders implemented important reforms such as universal voting rights for men and women and nationwide public education.
The military-appointed presidents are: Artur Bernardes, Washington Luiz Pereira de Sousa (also known as Washington Luís), Getulio Vargas (also known as Getulio Dornelles Vargas or simply “Getúlio”), João Goulart (also known as Jango), Costa e Silva (also known as Arthur da Costa e Silva), Emilio Garrastazu Medici, Ernesto Geisel, João Baptista Figueiredo and Jose Sarney. These leaders implemented policies that were focused on increasing economic growth as well as promoting social welfare programs for the poor.
The current president of Brazil is Jair Bolsonaro who has been in office since January 2019. He is a right-wing populist who has promised to reduce crime rates by cracking down on drug trafficking and corruption while also increasing economic growth through privatization and deregulation.
Prime Ministers of Brazil
Brazil has had a total of 11 prime ministers since the start of the Republic in 1889. The first prime minister of Brazil was Afonso Pena, who served from 1906-1909 and was responsible for establishing the country’s first constitution. The following prime ministers are: Hermes da Fonseca, Delfim Moreira, Afonso Augusto Moreira Pena, Francisco de Paula Rodrigues Alves, Nilo Peçanha, Venceslau Brás Pereira Gomes, José Paranhos (also known as Visconde de Rio Branco), Rodrigues Alves (also known as Campos Sales), Afonso Augusto Moreira Pena (also known as Hermes da Fonseca), Washington Luiz Pereira de Sousa (also known as Washington Luís) and Getulio Vargas (also known as Getúlio Dornelles Vargas or simply “Getúlio”).
The prime ministers during this period were responsible for implementing important reforms such as universal voting rights for men and women; national public education; and a federal system of government. They also implemented policies to increase economic growth by encouraging foreign investment and creating incentives for local entrepreneurs.
The current Prime Minister of Brazil is Paulo Guedes who has been in office since 2019. He is an economist who has promised to reduce government spending and increase economic growth through privatization and deregulation. He has also promised to reduce crime rates by cracking down on drug trafficking and corruption while also increasing investment in infrastructure projects across the country.
