This article gives an overview of liberal parties in Brazil. It is limited to liberalparties with substantial support, mainly demonstrated by having had representation in parliament. The sign ⇒ indicates a reference to another party in that scheme. For inclusion in this scheme, it isn't necessary so that parties labeled themselves as a liberal party.
Introduction
Liberalism has been present in Brazil since 1831, initially emerging as the opposition to conservatism in a traditional manner. However, with the republican revolution of 1889, organized liberalism faded away. Some liberal parties were established in the twentieth century. From 1966 onwards, the Democratic Movement became the primary representative of liberalism. As multi-partyism became established, more parties began to adopt the label of liberal, although the term was often used by moderate conservative factions. Currently, three parties identify themselves as liberal, but the Liberal Front Party (Partido da Frente Liberal) is actually a conservative party and a member of the International Democrat Union. The right-leaning Liberal Party (Partido Liberal) could be classified as a conservative-liberal party. The centrist Brazilian Democratic Movement (Movimento Democrático Brasileiro) occupies a liberal position on the political spectrum.
Left-wing liberalism in Brazil
Left-wing liberal movements in Brazil include some centrist parties and organizations rooted in socialism in the past, including Cidadania and Livres.
The timeline
Liberal Party (1831)
1831: In resistance to the imperial regime, liberals formed the Liberal Party (Partido Liberal) in 1831, loosely connected to the urban petty bourgeoisie. It became the leading progressive party during the monarchy.
1863: A left wing faction forms the ⇒ Progressive Party.
1868: The Progressive Party reunited with the party.
1869: A left wing faction formed the ⇒ New Liberal Party.
1882: A new Progressive Party is formed.
1889: After the fall of the monarchy the party vanished.
Progressive Party (1863)
1863: A left wing faction of the ⇒ Liberal Party forms the Progressive Party (Partido Progressista) .
1868: The party reunited with the ⇒ Liberal Party
New Liberal Party
1869: A left wing faction of the ⇒ Liberal Party forms the New Liberal Party, led by Joaquím Nabuco. Unclear is the further existence of the party.
Progressive Party (1882)
1882: A left wing faction of the ⇒ Liberal Party forms the Progressive Party (Partido Progressista).
1889: After the fall of the monarchy the party disappeared.
Republican Party
1870: The Republican Party (Partido Republicano), a party of the urban middle class, is formed.
1889: After the fall of the monarchy the party disappeared.
Liberal Alliance
1930: The liberal bourgeoisie formed the Liberal Alliance (Aliança Liberal), led by Getúlio Vargas. After he lost the 1930 rigged elections, the party came to power in a revolution.
1934: When Vargas establishes in 1934 an authoritarian regime, the party fell apart.
Brazilian Democratic Movement
1966: The military government allowed in a bi-partisan system the formation of a democratic opposition party, the Brazilian Democratic Movement (Movimento Democrático Brasileiro). In this party liberals are united with social democrats, socialists and right leaning opponents of the rightist military government. The party is led by Oscar Passos, Pedroso Horta (since 1970) and Ulysses Guimarães.
Lulism - In Latin America, including Brazil, the term "liberal" tends to be avoided in the left-wing camp, Lulism is considered to be practically close to social liberalism.
