Brazilian presidential election, 1985
Encyclopedia
The 1985 Brazil
ian presidential election was the last to be held indirectly through an electoral college
, represented by the members of the National Congress
(formed by Senators
and Federal Deputies
). Two groups were disputing the succession of President João Figueiredo: the Democratic Alliance and the Democratic Social Party
. The Democratic Alliance, which claimed the return of the civilians to the government through the creation of a new Constitution, launched the candidacy of Tancredo Neves
from the Brazilian Democratic Movement Party and was supported by the Liberal Front, a dissidence of the Democratic Social Party, and the Democratic Labour Party
. The Democratic Social Paty, on the other hand, claimed the continuity of the 1964 regime, and launched the candidature of Paulo Salim Maluf.
On January 15, 1985, the Congress gathered to vote for the presidential election. Tancredo Neves was elected President with 480 votes (72,4%) against only 180 (27,3%) given to Maluf. There were 26 abstentions, mostly from parliamentarians from the Workers' Party
, which decided to maintain its neutrality and support neither of the candidates. Some of its members, however, such as actress and congresswoman Bete Mendes
, voted on the Democratic Alliance and ended up being expelled from the party. Overall, three members of the party (Airton Soares, Mendes and José Eudes) were expelled from it.
On March 14, 1985, just one day prior to his inauguration, President-elect Tancredo Neves fell ill with strong abdominal pain. José Sarney
, who was elected Vice-President, went on the ceremony and took office. On April 21, 1985, Neves died from a generalized infection. Although he was never technically a President, his name is counted on the official list of Brazilian presidents as a matter of homage.
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...
ian presidential election was the last to be held indirectly through an electoral college
Electoral college
An electoral college is a set of electors who are selected to elect a candidate to a particular office. Often these represent different organizations or entities, with each organization or entity represented by a particular number of electors or with votes weighted in a particular way...
, represented by the members of the National Congress
National Congress of Brazil
The National Congress of Brazil is the legislative body of Brazil's federal government.Unlike regional legislative bodies – Legislative Assemblies and City Councils -, the Congress is bicameral, composed of the Federal Senate and the Chamber of Deputies .The Senate represents the 26 states and...
(formed by Senators
Senate of Brazil
The Federal Senate of Brazil is the upper house of the National Congress of Brazil. Created by the first Constitution of the Brazilian Empire in 1824, it was inspired by the United Kingdom's House of Lords, but with the Proclamation of the Republic in 1889 it became closer to the United States...
and Federal Deputies
Chamber of Deputies of Brazil
The Chamber of Deputies of Brazil is a federal legislative body and the lower house of the National Congress of Brazil. As of 2006, the chamber comprises 513 deputies, who are elected by proportional representation to serve four-year terms...
). Two groups were disputing the succession of President João Figueiredo: the Democratic Alliance and the Democratic Social Party
Democratic Social Party
The Democratic Social Party was a conservative Brazilian political party.It was established in 1979 as a continuation of the National Renewal Alliance Party , the party which supported the 1965-79 Brazilian dictatorship, at a time in which the country turned to be a democracy...
. The Democratic Alliance, which claimed the return of the civilians to the government through the creation of a new Constitution, launched the candidacy of Tancredo Neves
Tancredo Neves
Tancredo de Almeida Neves, SFO more commonly Tancredo Neves was a Brazilian politician. He was born in São João del Rey, in the state of Minas Gerais, of mostly Portuguese, but also Austrian descent and graduated in law. The Neves family name comes from an Azorean great great grandfather...
from the Brazilian Democratic Movement Party and was supported by the Liberal Front, a dissidence of the Democratic Social Party, and the Democratic Labour Party
Democratic Labour Party (Brazil)
The Democratic Labour Party is a populist, democratic socialist political party of Brazil. It was founded in 1979 by left-wing leader Leonel Brizola as an attempt to reorganize the Brazilian leftist forces during the end of the Brazilian military dictatorship...
. The Democratic Social Paty, on the other hand, claimed the continuity of the 1964 regime, and launched the candidature of Paulo Salim Maluf.
On January 15, 1985, the Congress gathered to vote for the presidential election. Tancredo Neves was elected President with 480 votes (72,4%) against only 180 (27,3%) given to Maluf. There were 26 abstentions, mostly from parliamentarians from the Workers' Party
Workers' Party (Brazil)
The Workers' Party is a democratic socialist political party in Brazil. Launched in 1980, it is recognized as one of the largest and most important left-wing movements of Latin America. It governs at the federal level in a coalition government with several other parties since January 1, 2003...
, which decided to maintain its neutrality and support neither of the candidates. Some of its members, however, such as actress and congresswoman Bete Mendes
Bete Mendes
Bete Mendes is a Brazilian actress and politician.-Early life:Bete Mendes was born Elizabeth Mendes de Oliveira in Santos, São Paulo. She is the daughter of Osmar Pires de Oliveira, a Sub-Lieutenant of the Brazilian Air Force, and Maria Mendes de Oliveira. She acted in school plays since she was 5...
, voted on the Democratic Alliance and ended up being expelled from the party. Overall, three members of the party (Airton Soares, Mendes and José Eudes) were expelled from it.
On March 14, 1985, just one day prior to his inauguration, President-elect Tancredo Neves fell ill with strong abdominal pain. José Sarney
José Sarney
José Sarney de Araújo Costa is a Brazilian lawyer, writer and politician. He served as president of Brazil from 15 March 1985 to 15 March 1990....
, who was elected Vice-President, went on the ceremony and took office. On April 21, 1985, Neves died from a generalized infection. Although he was never technically a President, his name is counted on the official list of Brazilian presidents as a matter of homage.
Result
| Candidate | Vice | Coalition | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tancredo Neves Tancredo Neves Tancredo de Almeida Neves, SFO more commonly Tancredo Neves was a Brazilian politician. He was born in São João del Rey, in the state of Minas Gerais, of mostly Portuguese, but also Austrian descent and graduated in law. The Neves family name comes from an Azorean great great grandfather... (PMDB) |
José Sarney José Sarney José Sarney de Araújo Costa is a Brazilian lawyer, writer and politician. He served as president of Brazil from 15 March 1985 to 15 March 1990.... (Liberal Front, later moved to PMDB) |
Democratic Alliance (Brazilian Democratic Movement Party, Liberal Front, and Democratic Labour Party) | 480 | 72.4 |
| Paulo Salim Maluf (Democratic Social Paty) | Flávio Portela Marcílio (Democratic Social Paty) | Democratic Social Paty | 180 | 27.3 |
| Abstention Abstention Abstention is a term in election procedure for when a participant in a vote either does not go to vote or, in parliamentary procedure, is present during the vote, but does not cast a ballot. Abstention must be contrasted with "blank vote", in which a voter casts a ballot willfully made invalid by... s |
26 | 0.3 | ||
| Total | 686 | 100% | ||