Brazilian Democratic Movement
Encyclopedia
The Brazilian Democratic Movement was a political party
in Brazil
that existed from 1965 to 1979. It was formed in 1965, when the military government that overthrew President
João Goulart
abolished all existing political parties. The new electoral rules were so restrictive as to permit the existence of only two parties—the National Renewal Alliance Party
(ARENA) and the MDB.
The MDB became the official party of the opposition, bringing in members from many of the former political parties. The bulk of its membership came from the former Brazilian Labour Party
and the left wing of the Social Democratic Party
. The MDB lacked a unified political position, being an umbrella organisation that harboured centrists, liberals, leftists, and conservatives who opposed the military regime.
At first, the MDB did not have real power in Congress, and as such boycotted the indirect presidential elections. However, in the elections of 1974 it took almost enough seats to gain a majority. As a result, the military government passed legislation restricting the power of the opposition, and even annulled the election of certain MDB Congressmen.
The MDB participated in the indirect presidential elections of 1974 and 1978 with two "anti-candidates", Ulysses Guimarães and General Euler Bentes Monteiro. The MDB used these campaigns to gain the attention of the global media, and denounce the "democratic" facade of the Brazilian dictatorship.
In 1979, in what may have been an attempt to split-up the opposition—or, on the other hand, a concession to reality—the military government allowed the formation of new parties, and the majority of the MDB became the Party of the Brazilian Democratic Movement
(PMDB).
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
in Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
that existed from 1965 to 1979. It was formed in 1965, when the military government that overthrew President
President of Brazil
The president of Brazil is both the head of state and head of government of the Federative Republic of Brazil. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the Brazilian Armed Forces...
João Goulart
João Goulart
João Belchior Marques Goulart was a Brazilian politician and the 24th President of Brazil until a military coup d'état deposed him on April 1, 1964. He is considered to have been the last left-wing President of the country until Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva took office in 2003.-Name:João Goulart is...
abolished all existing political parties. The new electoral rules were so restrictive as to permit the existence of only two parties—the National Renewal Alliance Party
National Renewal Alliance Party
The National Renewal Alliance Party or Aliança Renovadora Nacional was a conservative political party that existed in Brazil between 1966 and 1985...
(ARENA) and the MDB.
The MDB became the official party of the opposition, bringing in members from many of the former political parties. The bulk of its membership came from the former Brazilian Labour Party
Brazilian Labour Party (historical)
The Brazilian Labour Party was a center-left populist political party in Brazil founded in 1945 by supporters of the late Getúlio Vargas. It was dismantled by the military after 1964 coup d'état.-History:...
and the left wing of the Social Democratic Party
Social Democratic Party (Brazil)
The Social Democratic Party was a liberal political party in Brazil between 1945 and 1965. Founded as a center-right party by Getúlio Vargas together with the left-leaning Brazilian Labour Party, it elected Presidents Eurico Gaspar Dutra in 1945 and Juscelino Kubitschek de Oliveira in 1955...
. The MDB lacked a unified political position, being an umbrella organisation that harboured centrists, liberals, leftists, and conservatives who opposed the military regime.
At first, the MDB did not have real power in Congress, and as such boycotted the indirect presidential elections. However, in the elections of 1974 it took almost enough seats to gain a majority. As a result, the military government passed legislation restricting the power of the opposition, and even annulled the election of certain MDB Congressmen.
The MDB participated in the indirect presidential elections of 1974 and 1978 with two "anti-candidates", Ulysses Guimarães and General Euler Bentes Monteiro. The MDB used these campaigns to gain the attention of the global media, and denounce the "democratic" facade of the Brazilian dictatorship.
In 1979, in what may have been an attempt to split-up the opposition—or, on the other hand, a concession to reality—the military government allowed the formation of new parties, and the majority of the MDB became the Party of the Brazilian Democratic Movement
Party of the Brazilian Democratic Movement
The Brazilian Democratic Movement Party is the successor of the Brazilian Democratic Movement. It is a big tent party, including a range of politicians from conservatives as José Sarney to liberals as Pedro Simon, left-liberals as Roberto Requião, populists as Íris Resende, nationalists as Orestes...
(PMDB).