government+and+law

[[file:Laws and gov
 * Laws and government**
 * Brazil**
 * Sarah Chircop**

Brazil is a presidential and federative republic. It is comprised by 26 states and also the federal District which is Brasilia. In the year 1996 these 26 states were sub-divided into 5,581 municipalities in which this system is built on a directly elected president with a national constituency and a congress. According to //country studies Source:// //US// //Library of Congress// in the past few years the government employed 650,000 civilian and 310,000 military personnel which totalling 960,000.

Brazil’s political evolution from monarchy to democracy has not been an easy journey. Brazil’s independence coming in 1822, is unlike many of it’s South American neighbours it’s adopted constitutional monarchy as its form of government. The coronation of Don Pedro II in 1840 introduced a two party system which is based on the British model with both conservative and liberal parties and most frequent party turnovers which have evolved. Brazil enjoyed considerable political stability until the 1880’s when the system proved incapable of accommodating military demands and pressure to free/emancipate slaves. Brazil the patterned the constitution to what is now called the old republic based on the United States constitution. Colonialism, a political system based on the economic power by large land owners in rural areas, persisted. Under the newly introduced constitution on February 24 1891 the president, state governors and legislatures, National congress and local officials were chosen through direct elections.

Transformations occurred following WWI and the 1929 stock market crash which further escalated the already volatile situation in which responsible states Rio Grande do Sul and Minas Gerais staged a pre-emptive revolution and deposed the old regime. Which as a result of this Get`ulio Dorneles Vargas became president which lasted through the years 1930-45, 1951-54. The following years to come were known for multiparty democratic politics, explosions of economic growth, riding inflation, economic miracle period etc.

Brazils national legislature is composed of the 513 member chamber of deputies and also the 81 member senate. The congress has a general four year term however senators have the privilege of service for eight years. It meets that through March through June, and from August through December. The numerous states have unicameral legislatures which elected simultaneously with congress. Each of the municipalities have city councils which, again with four year turns, the municipal elections take place two years after the state and the national elections. Since 1930 the congress has been closed 5 times under authoritarian intervention. -1930-33 -1937-1946 -1966 -1968-69 -1977 Legislators enjoy a very nice immunity which includes immunity from capital crimes such as homicide. In December 1994 nearly 100 law suits to lift the immunity of deputies and senators. Since 1950 federal and state legislators have been elected at regular four year intervals. Senators must be at least thirty-five years old. Each state has three seats and one or two seats which are elected alternately every four years to eight year terms. Election is by a simple majority vote.

Australian Consulate in Sao Paulo Brazil Alameda Ministro Rocha Azevedo 456 2nd Floor – Jardim Paulista San Paulo CEP – 01410-000 Telephone-+55(11) 2112 6200

Australian Consulate in Rio de Janeiro Brazil Veirano e Advoqados Associados AV Presidente Wilson 231 23rd Floor Rio de Janeiro RJ 20030-021 Telepone-+552138244624

Australian Embassy Brazil SES Quadra 801 Conjunto K, Lote 7 Brasilia DF 70200-010 Telephone-+556132263111

New legislation (Proposed) as of 22 March 2007 There have been many laws and legislations that have been passed in Brazil, 1888-the abolition of slavery, there is now a proposal (as of 22 March ‘07’) regarding Brazil law to Jail pastors who preach that Homosexual activity is a sin- this would mean that anyone making public expression of opposition to homosexuality a crime, which in turn may threaten religious freedom in the country. This bill would change federal anti-discrimination laws, the Brazilian penal code and the consolidation of Labour laws to make discrimination (gender/sex/sexual orientation) a criminal offence. ernment, Legislature.doc]]