The president exercises the role of head of the executive branch and also head of state (maximum authority) in a nation whose system of government is presidentialism. In Brazil, he is elected by direct vote, being the representative of the people at the federal level. The mandate lasts for 4 years, and may be extended for another 4 years, through new elections. The official residence is the Palácio da Alvorada, in Brasília, in the Federal District. Currently (2010), the salary of the president of Brazil is R$ 11,420.00.
The criteria for running for the most responsible political office in the country follow the 1988 Constitution of the Federative Republic of Brazil.
- Be at least 35 years old;
- Being a native Brazilian;
- Have the full exercise of their political rights;
- Be registered with any political party;
- Having an electoral domicile in Brazil;
- Not having replaced the current president within six months of the scheduled date for the election.
When elected, the president of the Republic has, among others, the following functions:
- Appoint and dismiss Ministers of State;
- Conduct economic policy;
- Exercise, with the assistance of the Ministers of State, the direction of the federal administration;
- Edit provisional measures with the force of law on an urgent basis;
- Apply the approved laws;
- Veto bills, in whole or in part;
- Maintain relations with foreign States and appoint their diplomatic representatives;
- Decree the state of defense and the state of siege;
- Enact and execute federal intervention;
- Exercise supreme command of the Armed Forces, appoint Navy Commanders, of the
Army and Air Force, promote their general officers and appoint them to positions that are unique to them;
- Declare war, in the case of foreign aggression, when authorized by the National Congress or endorsed by it;
- Submit to the National Congress the multi-year plan, the draft law on budget guidelines and the proposals provided for in this Constitution;
- Perform other duties provided for in the Constitution of the Federative Republic of Brazil.
By Wagner de Cerqueira and Francisco
Graduated in Geography