List of prime ministers of Brazil

  • Top left: Manuel Alves Branco was the first de jure prime minister of the Empire of Brazil.
  • Top right: Pedro de Araújo Lima was the longest-serving prime minister in Brazilian history.
  • Bottom left: José Paranhos was the longest uninterrupted serving prime minister, holding office from 1871 to 1875.
  • Bottom right: Hermes Lima was the last person to hold the office of prime minister of Brazil during the Fourth Brazilian Republic.

The prime ministers of Brazil, officially called President of the Council of Ministers, were the parliamentarians who, during two periods in the political history of the country, directed the government in a parliamentary system. The first parliamentary experience began with emperor Pedro II in 1847, and was maintained during the last 42 years of the Empire of Brazil. The first de jure officeholder was Manuel Alves Branco, Viscount of Caravelas, who was sworn in on 20 July 1847 after the office was formally created by Decree No. 523. The prime ministers were appointed by the emperor of Brazil. Once chosen, it was up to them to form a cabinet.

The second occasion on which a parliamentary system was put into practice occurred during the government of president João Goulart, in 1961, due to a constitutional amendment approved by his opponents before the beginning of his term. This second parliamentary experience was short-lived, with the presidential system of government restored in a national plebiscite in 1963.

Prime ministers of Brazil

Prime ministers of the Empire of Brazil (1847–1889)

Between 1847 and 1889, the holder of the office was officially called "President of the Council of Ministers", being referred to by the press usually as "President of the Cabinet". According to the Political Constitution of the Empire of Brazil, the head of the Executive Power was the Emperor.[1][2]

The position of President of the Council of Ministers was created by Decree No. 523 of 20 July 1847, and this parliamentary regime was never included in the Imperial Constitution. The ministerial offices that existed from 1840 to 1847 did not have a President of the council. The number of ministers was small by current Brazilian standards: there were six, and in 1860 the seventh ministry was created by Legislative Decree No. 1,067 of 28 July 1860, the Secretary of State for Agriculture, Commerce and Public Works.[3][4]

The duration of the Cabinet depended on the support it had in the Chamber of Deputies and on the support of the Emperor. If the Chamber of Deputies were incompatible with the Cabinet, it was up to the Emperor to either dissolve the Cabinet or dissolve the Chamber.[5] There were, in all, 32 cabinets with the figure of the President of the Council of Ministers.[5]

No. Portrait Prime Minister Took office Left office Time in office Party Monarch Cabinet
1
Manuel Alves Branco, 2nd Viscount of Caravelas
Manuel Alves Branco, 2nd Viscount of Caravelas
(1797–1855)
20 July 1847 (1847-07-20)8 March 1848 (1848-03-08)232 days LiberalPedro IIAlves Branco
2
José de Almeida Torres, Viscount of Macaé
José de Almeida Torres, Viscount of Macaé
(1799–1850)
8 March 1848 (1848-03-08)31 May 1848 (1848-05-31)84 days LiberalPedro IIMacaé
3
Francisco de Paula Sousa e Melo
Francisco de Paula Sousa e Melo
(1791–1851)
31 May 1848 (1848-05-31)28 September 1848 (1848-09-28)120 days LiberalPedro IIPaula Sousa
4
Pedro de Araújo Lima, Viscount of Olinda
Pedro de Araújo Lima, Viscount of Olinda
(1793–1870)
28 September 1848 (1848-09-28)8 October 1849 (1849-10-08)1 year, 10 days ConservativePedro IIOlinda I
5
José da Costa Carvalho, Marquis of Monte Alegre
José da Costa Carvalho, Marquis of Monte Alegre
(1796–1860)
8 October 1849 (1849-10-08)11 May 1852 (1852-05-11)2 years, 216 days ConservativePedro IIMonte Alegre
6
Joaquim Rodrigues Torres, Viscount of Itaboraí
Joaquim Rodrigues Torres, Viscount of Itaboraí
(1802–1872)
11 May 1852 (1852-05-11)6 September 1853 (1853-09-06)1 year, 118 days ConservativePedro IIItaboraí I
7
Honório Hermeto Carneiro Leão, Marquis of Paraná
Honório Hermeto Carneiro Leão, Marquis of Paraná
(1801–1856)
6 September 1853 (1853-09-06)3 September 1856 (1856-09-03)2 years, 363 days ConservativePedro IIParaná
8
Luís Alves de Lima e Silva, Marquis of Caxias
Luís Alves de Lima e Silva, Marquis of Caxias
(1803–1880)
3 September 1856 (1856-09-03)4 May 1857 (1857-05-04)243 days ConservativePedro IICaxias I
9
Pedro de Araújo Lima, Marquis of Olinda
Pedro de Araújo Lima, Marquis of Olinda
(1793–1870)
4 May 1857 (1857-05-04)12 December 1858 (1858-12-12)1 year, 222 days ConservativePedro IIOlinda II
10
Antonio Paulino Limpo de Abreu, Viscount of Abaeté
Antonio Paulino Limpo de Abreu, Viscount of Abaeté
(1798–1883)
12 December 1858 (1858-12-12)10 August 1859 (1859-08-10)241 days ConservativePedro IIAbaeté
11
Ângelo Moniz da Silva Ferraz
Ângelo Moniz da Silva Ferraz
(1812–1867)
10 August 1859 (1859-08-10)2 March 1861 (1861-03-02)1 year, 204 days ConservativePedro IIFerraz
12
Luís Alves de Lima e Silva, Marquis of Caxias
Luís Alves de Lima e Silva, Marquis of Caxias
(1803–1880)
2 March 1861 (1861-03-02)24 May 1862 (1862-05-24)1 year, 83 days ConservativePedro IICaxias II
13
Zacarias de Góis e Vasconcelos
Zacarias de Góis e Vasconcelos
(1815–1877)
24 May 1862 (1862-05-24)30 May 1862 (1862-05-30)6 days Progressive LeaguePedro IIZacarias I
14
Pedro de Araújo Lima, Marquis of Olinda
Pedro de Araújo Lima, Marquis of Olinda
(1793–1870)
30 May 1862 (1862-05-30)15 January 1864 (1864-01-15)1 year, 230 days Progressive LeaguePedro IIOlinda III
15
Zacarias de Góis e Vasconcelos
Zacarias de Góis e Vasconcelos
(1815–1877)
15 January 1864 (1864-01-15)31 August 1864 (1864-08-31)229 days Progressive LeaguePedro IIZacarias II
16
Francisco José Furtado
Francisco José Furtado
(1818–1870)
31 August 1864 (1864-08-31)12 May 1865 (1865-05-12)254 days LiberalPedro IIFurtado
17
Pedro de Araújo Lima, Marquis of Olinda
Pedro de Araújo Lima, Marquis of Olinda
(1793–1870)
12 May 1865 (1865-05-12)3 August 1866 (1866-08-03)1 year, 110 days LiberalPedro IIOlinda IV
18
Zacarias de Góis e Vasconcelos
Zacarias de Góis e Vasconcelos
(1815–1877)
3 August 1866 (1866-08-03)16 July 1868 (1868-07-16)1 year, 348 days LiberalPedro IIZacarias III
19
Joaquim Rodrigues Torres, Viscount of Itaboraí
Joaquim Rodrigues Torres, Viscount of Itaboraí
(1802–1872)
16 July 1868 (1868-07-16)29 September 1870 (1870-09-29)2 years, 75 days ConservativePedro IIItaboraí II
20
José Antônio Pimenta Bueno, Viscount of São Vicente
José Antônio Pimenta Bueno, Viscount of São Vicente
(1803–1878)
29 September 1870 (1870-09-29)7 March 1871 (1871-03-07)159 days ConservativePedro IIPimenta Bueno
21
José Paranhos, Viscount of Rio Branco
José Paranhos, Viscount of Rio Branco
(1819–1880)
7 March 1871 (1871-03-07)25 June 1875 (1875-06-25)4 years, 110 days ConservativePedro IIRio Branco
22
Luís Alves de Lima e Silva, Duke of Caxias
Luís Alves de Lima e Silva, Duke of Caxias
(1803–1880)
25 June 1875 (1875-06-25)5 January 1878 (1878-01-05)2 years, 194 days ConservativePedro IICaxias III
23
João Lins Cansanção de Sinimbu
João Lins Cansanção de Sinimbu
(1810–1906)
5 January 1878 (1878-01-05)28 March 1880 (1880-03-28)2 years, 83 days LiberalPedro IISinimbu
24
José Antônio Saraiva
José Antônio Saraiva
(1823–1895)
28 March 1880 (1880-03-28)21 January 1882 (1882-01-21)1 year, 299 days LiberalPedro IISaraiva I
25
Martinho Campos
Martinho Campos
(1816–1887)
21 January 1882 (1882-01-21)3 July 1882 (1882-07-03)163 days LiberalPedro IIMartinho Campos
26
João da Cunha Paranaguá, Viscount of Paranaguá
João da Cunha Paranaguá, Viscount of Paranaguá
(1821–1912)
3 July 1882 (1882-07-03)24 May 1883 (1883-05-24)325 days LiberalPedro IIParanaguá
27
Lafayette Rodrigues Pereira
Lafayette Rodrigues Pereira
(1834–1917)
24 May 1883 (1883-05-24)6 June 1884 (1884-06-06)1 year, 13 days LiberalPedro IILafayette
28
Manuel Pinto de Sousa Dantas
Manuel Pinto de Sousa Dantas
(1831–1894)
6 June 1884 (1884-06-06)6 May 1885 (1885-05-06)334 days LiberalPedro IIDantas
29
José Antônio Saraiva
José Antônio Saraiva
(1823–1895)
6 May 1885 (1885-05-06)20 August 1885 (1885-08-20)106 days LiberalPedro IISaraiva II
30
João Maurício Vanderlei, Baron of Cotegipe
João Maurício Vanderlei, Baron of Cotegipe
(1815–1889)
20 August 1885 (1885-08-20)10 March 1888 (1888-03-10)2 years, 203 days ConservativePedro IICotegipe
31
João Alfredo de Oliveira
João Alfredo de Oliveira
(1835–1919)
10 March 1888 (1888-03-10)7 June 1889 (1889-06-07)1 year, 89 days ConservativePedro IIJoão Alfredo
32
Afonso Celso, Viscount of Ouro Preto
Afonso Celso, Viscount of Ouro Preto
(1836–1912)
7 June 1889 (1889-06-07)15 November 1889 (1889-11-15)161 days LiberalPedro IIOuro Preto

Prime ministers of the United States of Brazil (1961–1963)

The second parliamentary experience lasted from 8 September 1961 to 24 January 1963, therefore one year, four months and sixteen exact days (504 days), when João Goulart was President of Brazil.[6] After a plebiscite held in January 1963, the presidential regime was reestablished, which remains in the country to the present day.[7]

No. Portrait Prime Minister Took office Left office Time in office Party President
1
Tancredo Neves
Tancredo Neves
(1910–1985)
8 September 1961 (1961-09-08)12 July 1962 (1962-07-12)307 days PSDJoão Goulart
2
Francisco Brochado da Rocha
Francisco Brochado da Rocha
(1910–1962)
12 July 1962 (1962-07-12)18 September 1962 (1962-09-18)68 days PSDJoão Goulart
3
Hermes Lima
Hermes Lima
(1902–1978)
18 September 1962 (1962-09-18)24 January 1963 (1963-01-24)128 days PTBJoão Goulart

Timeline

Empire of Brazil

Afonso Celso, Viscount of Ouro PretoJoão Alfredo Correia de OliveiraJoão Maurício Vanderlei, Baron of CotejipeManuel Pinto de Sousa DantasLafayette Rodrigues PereiraJoão Lustosa da Cunha Paranaguá (Viscount of Paranaguá)Martinho Álvares da Silva CamposJosé Antônio SaraivaJoão Lins Cansanção, Viscount of SinimbuJosé Paranhos, Viscount of Rio BrancoJosé Antônio Pimenta Bueno (Viscount of São Vicente)Francisco José FurtadoZacarias de GóisÂngelo Moniz da Silva Ferraz (Baron of Uruguaiana)Antônio Paulino Limpo de Abreu (Viscount of Abaeté)Luís Alves de Lima e Silva, Duke of CaxiasHonório Hermeto Carneiro Leão, Marquis of ParanáJoaquim Rodrigues Torres, Viscount of ItaboraíJosé da Costa Carvalho (viscount of Monte Alegre)Pedro de Araújo Lima, Marquis of OlindaFrancisco de Paula Sousa e MeloJosé Carlos Pereira de Almeida Torres (Viscount of Macaé)Manuel Alves Branco, 2nd Viscount of Caravelas

Fourth Brazilian Republic

Hermes LimaFrancisco de Paula Brochado da RochaTancredo Neves

Notes

References

  1. ^ Constituição Imperial de 1824
  2. ^ "Presidente do Conselho de Ministros". MAPA - Memória da Administração Pública Brasileira. Retrieved 13 September 2019.
  3. ^ "Decreto n.º 523". Ministério da Agricultura. 20 July 1847. Archived from the original on 14 May 2013. Retrieved 12 September 2013.
  4. ^ "Presidente do Conselho de Ministros". MAPA - Memória da Administração Pública Brasileira. Retrieved 13 September 2019.
  5. ^ a b "O Parlamentarismo". Multi Rio. Retrieved 16 September 2013.
  6. ^ "A experiência parlamentar no Brasil entre os anos de 60 e 64". Pesquise Direito. Retrieved 16 September 2013.
  7. ^ "Parlamentarismo (2): João Goulart e o plebiscito de 1963". Universo Online. Retrieved 21 September 2013.