President of Brazil facts for kids

Quick facts for kids President of the Federative Republic of Brazil
Presidential standard of Brazil
Coat of arms of Brazil
Incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva since 1 January 2023
Federal government of Brazil
Style	Mr. President (Informal) His/Her Excellency (formal)
Member of	Cabinet National Defense Council Council of the Republic
Residence	Palácio da Alvorada Granja do Torto
Seat	Palácio do Planalto
Appointer	Direct popular vote (two rounds if necessary)
Term length	Four years, renewable once consecutively
Constituting instrument	Constitution of Brazil
Precursor	Emperor of Brazil (as Head of State) Prime Minister of Brazil (as Head of Government)
Inaugural holder	Deodoro da Fonseca
Formation	Proclamation of the Republic 15 November 1889
Succession	Line of succession
Deputy	Vice President
Salary	R$ 402,151/US$ 76,309 annually

The president of Brazil is the leader of the country. This person is both the head of state and the head of government for Brazil. The president is in charge of the executive branch of the government. They also lead the Brazilian Armed Forces as their commander-in-chief.

Brazil became a republic in 1889 after a military takeover. Before that, it was an empire led by Emperor Pedro II. Since then, Brazil has had different constitutions and periods of both dictatorship and democracy. The current Constitution explains what the president can do. It also sets out their responsibilities, how long they serve, and how they are chosen.

Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is the 39th and current president. He started his term on January 1, 2023.

What the President Does: Powers and Duties

Brazil is a republic with a presidential system. This means the president has many important powers. They lead the executive branch of the government. They also represent Brazil to other countries around the world. The president chooses the people who work in the cabinet. With the approval of the Senate, they also pick judges for the Supreme Federal Court. The president is also the top leader of the armed forces.

Brazilian presidents can also help create laws. They can suggest new laws to the National Congress. They can also use something called Medidas Provisórias, or provisional measures. These are like temporary laws that the president can make in urgent situations. They become active right away, even before Congress votes on them. A provisional measure lasts for up to 60 days. Congress can vote to approve it, and then it becomes a real law. If Congress doesn't approve it, it expires.

The Constitution lists many specific powers of the president. These include:

• Choosing and removing government ministers.
• Managing the federal government with the help of ministers.
• Starting the process for new laws.
• Approving and announcing new laws.
• Vetoing (rejecting) parts or all of a bill.
• Making changes to how the government is organized, as long as it doesn't cost more money.
• Working with other countries and their leaders.
• Signing international agreements, which the Congress must approve.
• Declaring a state of defense or siege in emergencies.
• Ordering federal intervention in certain situations.
• Sending a message to Congress at the start of each year. This message describes the state of the country.
• Granting pardons or reducing sentences for crimes.
• Leading the armed forces and appointing their commanders.
• Appointing judges and other important officials with Senate approval.
• Appointing members of the Council of the Republic.
• Calling and leading meetings of the Council of the Republic and the National Defense Council.
• Declaring war if Brazil is attacked, with Congress's approval.
• Making peace, with Congress's approval.
• Giving out awards and honors.
• Allowing foreign military forces to enter Brazil temporarily.
• Sending financial plans and budget proposals to Congress.
• Reporting to Congress each year about the previous year's finances.
• Creating and removing federal government jobs.
• Issuing provisional measures (temporary laws).
• Performing other duties listed in the Constitution.

How a President Is Chosen

President Hermes da Fonseca waves to the crowd during Inauguration Day parade, 1910

Who Can Be President?

To become president of Brazil, a person must meet certain requirements. They must be a native-born citizen of Brazil. They need to be at least 35 years old. They must live in Brazil and be able to vote. Also, they must be a member of a political party. People cannot run as independent candidates.

How Long Is a President's Term?

The president of Brazil serves for a term of four years. They can be re-elected for one more term right after their first. This means a president can serve a total of eight years in a row. However, a former president can run again after at least one term has passed.

If a vice president becomes president, even for a short time, they are also limited to one re-election. This is because the vice president often acts as president when the president travels outside Brazil.

Running for Other Offices

If a president (or governor or mayor) wants to run for a different political job, they must leave their current office. They need to resign at least six months before the election day.

A Look Back: Presidential History

The rule allowing a president to be re-elected was added to the Constitution in 1997. Before that, presidents could not be re-elected right away. The only exception was during the Vargas Era from 1937 to 1945. The office was only open to men until the 1937 Constitution. The 1988 Constitution first set the presidential term at five years. But in 1994, it was changed to four years.

Presidential Perks: Salary and Homes

Presidential styles of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
Reference style	Senhor Presidente da República "Mr. President of the Republic"
Spoken style	Senhor Presidente or Presidente "Mr. President" or "President"

As of 2015, the president earns a monthly salary of R$30,934.70. They also have an expense account for travel and other needs while in office. In Brazil, employees get an extra payment called a "thirteenth salary" each year. This means the president receives 13 payments annually. Their yearly salary is R$402,151.10.

The Palácio do Planalto in Brasília is where the president officially works. The Palácio da Alvorada is their official home. The president can use the staff and facilities at these places. The Residência Oficial do Torto is a ranch outside the capital. It is used as a country retreat for the president. The Palácio Rio Negro in Petrópolis is a summer retreat, but it is rarely used. The Jaburu Palace in Brasília is the official home of the vice president.

In the 2000s, the government created "Regional Offices of the Presidency." These offices are in important Brazilian cities. They are not homes, but they are fully staffed workplaces for the president and ministers. The first office was set up in São Paulo. It is located in the Banco do Brasil building. There are also regional offices in Porto Alegre and Belo Horizonte.

For travel on the ground, the president uses a special presidential state car. It is an armored version of a 2024 Chery Tiggo 8 Max Drive. A 1952 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith is used for special events. These events include Independence Day and the inauguration of a new president. The main presidential aircraft is a military version of an Airbus A330-200, called KC-30. Two smaller Embraer 190 jets (VC-2) are used for shorter flights. When the president is on board, these planes are called "Brazilian Air Force One". Two modified Eurocopter Super Puma helicopters (VH-34) are used as the main presidential helicopters.

Removing a President from Office

The flag of Brazil

A president can be removed from office through a process called impeachment. First, two-thirds of the Chamber of Deputies must agree to bring charges against the president. If they do, the Senate then decides whether to investigate. If the Senate agrees, the president is suspended from their duties for up to 180 days.

If the charges are for "common criminal offenses," the trial takes place at the Supreme Federal Court. If the charges are for "crimes of malversation" (misconduct), the trial happens at the Federal Senate. During the trial, the vice president takes over as acting president. If the trial doesn't end with a conviction within 180 days, the president returns to office. If the president is found guilty, they are removed from office, and the vice president becomes the new president.

"Crimes of malversation" cover seven main areas:

• Actions against the existence of Brazil as a country.
• Actions that stop the Legislative, Judicial, or Public Prosecution powers from working freely.
• Actions against political, individual, and social rights.
• Actions against the country's internal security.
• Actions that show a lack of honesty in administration.
• Actions against the budget law.
• Actions that do not follow laws or court decisions.

Life After the Presidency

Former presidents are given certain benefits by law. These include:

• Permanent security protection from the presidential guard.
• The use of two official vehicles for life.
• Funding to create a presidential library.
• A lifelong monthly payment for their widows and unmarried daughters.
• A pension for sons of deceased ex-presidents until they become adults.

Past Presidents of Brazil

All presidents of Brazil have been called President of the Republic. This title has been used by all Brazilian constitutions since the republic began in 1889. From 1889 to 1937, the country was officially called Republic of the United States of Brazil. From 1937 to 1967, it was simply The United States of Brazil. So, presidents during those times were called President of the Republic of the United States of Brazil. On March 15, 1967, the country's official name changed to Federative Republic of Brazil. Since then, all presidents have been called President of the Federative Republic of Brazil.

Latest Election Results

Images for kids

• 

  Palácio do Planalto

• 

  Palácio da Alvorada

• 

  Palácio do Jaburu

• 

  Residência Oficial do Torto

• 

  Palácio Rio Negro

• 

  Ceremonial state car

• 

  The Presidential state car of Brazil

• 

  Intercontinental presidential aircraft (KC-30)

• 

  Secondary presidential aircraft (VC-2)

• 

  Presidential helicopter (VH-34 and VH-36)

See also

In Spanish: Presidente de Brasil para niños

• List of presidents of Brazil
• Brazilian presidential inauguration
• Politics of Brazil
• Cabinet of Brazil
• Vice President of Brazil
• Brazilian Air Force One
• Presidential Guard Battalion (Brazil)