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The President of the Federative Republic of Brazil is the head of state and head of government of Brazil. He is also the supreme commander of the Brazilian Armed Forces. The first president of Brazil was Deodoro da Fonseca, who proclaimed the republic in a military coup d'etât against the Emperor Dom Pedro II. Since then, Brazil had six constitutions, two dictatorships and three democratic periods. The current president is Luiz Inácio "Lula" da Silva, from the Partido dos Trabalhadores (Workers' Party), elected in 2002 for the 2003–2006 term, reelected for 2007–2010 term. He was the most voted president in the world until then, receiving 56.7 million votes (it should be noted that voting is compulsory in Brazil). In 2006 presidential elections held in October 1, 2006, he received 58.2 million votes.
Presidential powers As a presidential republic, Brazil grants significant powers to the President. He effectively controls the government, represents the country abroad, appoints the cabinet and judges for the Supreme Federal Tribunal. Presidents in Brazil also have significant lawmaking powers, exercised either by proposing laws to the National Congress, or by using the instrument of the Medidas Provisórias, a law that comes immediately in effect, for a specific span of time, before the Congress can vote on it. Requirements to hold office According the 1988 Constitution, the president must be a native-born citizen of Brazil, be at least 35 years of age, be a resident in Brazil, be an elector, have all the electoral rights and be inscribed in a political party (write-in candidates are forbidden). The length of the Term Nowadays, the president serves a four-year term. The president can be reelected to just one more term sequentially. The reelection for executive posts has existed since 1997, when the Amendment nº 16 was passed. It was very controversial, because Fernando Henrique Cardoso, who was president at the time, was reelected. History Latest election Additional information The official residence of the president is the Palácio da Alvorada, designed by Oscar Niemeyer and located in the suburbs of Brasilia. The official office of the president is the Palácio do Planalto, in the city center of Brasilia. Also designed by Niemeyer, the palace faces the Three powers squares, where the Justice Palace and the National Congress are also located. See also | ||||||||
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