Brazil Government - Executive Branch

The Law nº 10.678, 23 May 2003, provides for the Organization of Presidency of the Republic and the Cabinet.

Presidency
Brazil is a Federative Republic. The President of Republic is Chief of State and Chief of Government. Check out the official site of Presidency of Brazil.

Presidencial elections are by majoritarian voting. Each citizen equals one vote, the one with most votes is elected (Senators, Governors and Mayors are also elected by majority; Deputies and Councilmen are elected by proportional votes on Parties).
In case none of candidates gets absolute majority (more than 50 percent of total valid votes) in the first round, the first two most voted candidates go for a second ballot; Lula won the 2002 elections in second ballot, beating candidate José Serra.

The President in office is mr. Luis Inacio Lula da Silva, elected for the period Jan.1st 2003 to Dec.31st 2006. Check out this short biography of President Lula; el proximo enlace contiene una biografia de Lula en Español.

The vice-President is mr. Jose de Alencar Gomes da Silva.
Mr. Alencar was also of humble origin, but soon became a successful entrepreneur in the textile sector (his family is owner of Coteminas).
Mr. Lula and Mr. Alencar are not affiliated to the same Political Party (Alencar is affiliated of Partido Liberal), they were elected by a coalition. Visit the official site of vice-Presidency of Brazil.

The Cabinet
Brazilian Executive Cabinet is composed of Ministries, Secretaries and otheragencies and offices.
Some members of Cabinet must be approved by the Senate (like, e.g., directors of Central Bank and directors of the regulatory agencies), but Ministers are at entire will of the President.

Below, some of the most important Ministries and respective subordinated bodies:
Ministry of Finances because Brazil has been, over the past years, going through severe fiscal restraints, the Ministry of Finances is the most powerful of all. Current minister is mr. Antonio Palocci, a doctor, ex-mayor of large city Ribeirao Preto.

Federal Revenue in charge of collecting federal taxes (internal and foreigner trade taxes)

Treasury Procurement represents the Treasury in courts

Treasury all monies collected on behalf of Union go to an account administered by this Secretary

Central Bank subordinated to the Ministry of Finances. The board is nominated by the President, but must be approved by the Federal Senate. Directors of Central Bank can be dismissed ad nutum of the President.
Civil Office coordinates the relations with the Parliament and the other ministries. All bill proposals which start at some Ministry must be approved by the Civil Office. Current minister is Jose Dirceu, an old friend of Lula's.
Education
Planning defines short and long term strategies. The annual budget law is initially proposed by this Ministry.
Foreigner Relations

Brazilian Embassies abroad

Brazilian Consulates abroad
Health
Labor
Justice

Federal Police
Social Security and Welfare This ministry has been under the spotlights lately because the social security system has a growing deficit, despite of the very poor security net provided.
Environment

Government Lula: latest news.


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