Flag of the Empire of Brazil For many people the fact that Brazil
was once an empire can come as a
surprise. Whats more, a growing
number of people want their monarchy
back. So what is the current state of
monarchism in Brazil today?
was once an empire can come as a
surprise. Whats more, a growing
number of people want their monarchy
back. So what is the current state of
monarchism in Brazil today?
After a military coup d'ètat toppled the monarchy in 1889
various attempts were made to restore the monarchy. In 1993
support for the monarchy was strong enough to have a
referendum on what form of government Brazil should have.
The monarchist cause gained 10.2% support. If republicans
thought this would be the end of the monarchist question they
were sadly mistaken. In 2013, 20 years after the referendum,
the Portal Terra newspaper asked its readers if they would
support the monarchy's restoration. 82% indicated they
would support such a move. At roughly the same time the
republic was in the process of greatly undermining itself.
various attempts were made to restore the monarchy. In 1993
support for the monarchy was strong enough to have a
referendum on what form of government Brazil should have.
The monarchist cause gained 10.2% support. If republicans
thought this would be the end of the monarchist question they
were sadly mistaken. In 2013, 20 years after the referendum,
the Portal Terra newspaper asked its readers if they would
support the monarchy's restoration. 82% indicated they
would support such a move. At roughly the same time the
republic was in the process of greatly undermining itself.
The Petrobras Scandal
Monarchist handing out leaflets A major scandal rocked the republic
in 2015 and implicated politicians
from across the political spectrum in a
criminal money-laundering scheme.
In the ensuing anti-government
protests monarchist organizations
played an increasingly important, and visible, role. The
claimant to the throne also began taking on more public
appearances and giving media interviews.
in 2015 and implicated politicians
from across the political spectrum in a
criminal money-laundering scheme.
In the ensuing anti-government
protests monarchist organizations
played an increasingly important, and visible, role. The
claimant to the throne also began taking on more public
appearances and giving media interviews.
During a protest at the National Congress building in 2015 the Imperial Flag is raised.
Road to a New Referendum
In 2016 a known monarchist, Paulo Eduardo Martins, was
elected to the Chamber of Deputies (the National Congress'
lower house). With a supporter able to shepard legislation
through the National Congress monarchists are well placed
for their biggest push thus far: a new referendum.
In 2017 an online petition to the Federal Senate asking for a
new referendum on becoming a monarchy collected 32,000
signatures and easily surpassed the 20,000 needed to have
the petition officially debated. Support on the Federal
Senate's website was stated at being over 90%. The process
received a boost with the state assemblies of Minas Gerais and
Rondônia both sending their official support for the
referendum proposal. The proposal is currently before
the Commission of Human Rights of the Brazilian Federal
Senate for debate, awaiting the appointment of a
rapporteur.
elected to the Chamber of Deputies (the National Congress'
lower house). With a supporter able to shepard legislation
through the National Congress monarchists are well placed
for their biggest push thus far: a new referendum.
In 2017 an online petition to the Federal Senate asking for a
new referendum on becoming a monarchy collected 32,000
signatures and easily surpassed the 20,000 needed to have
the petition officially debated. Support on the Federal
Senate's website was stated at being over 90%. The process
received a boost with the state assemblies of Minas Gerais and
Rondônia both sending their official support for the
referendum proposal. The proposal is currently before
the Commission of Human Rights of the Brazilian Federal
Senate for debate, awaiting the appointment of a
rapporteur.
The Once and Future Empire
The Brazilian monarchists are doing well and I applaud their
tenacious efforts. One thing that concerns me it is that there
does not seem to have been a definitive nation-wide poll on
the subject. So while the high levels of support shown in more
limited polls are nice I don't think anyone should be resting.
The battle for hearts and minds cannot be considered won yet.
A second concern is that the Federal Senate might sit on the
proposed referendum until it can be killed in some way. Every
effort should be made to ensure the proposal actually results
in a referendum.
Loyally Yours,
A Kisaragi Colour
tenacious efforts. One thing that concerns me it is that there
does not seem to have been a definitive nation-wide poll on
the subject. So while the high levels of support shown in more
limited polls are nice I don't think anyone should be resting.
The battle for hearts and minds cannot be considered won yet.
A second concern is that the Federal Senate might sit on the
proposed referendum until it can be killed in some way. Every
effort should be made to ensure the proposal actually results
in a referendum.
Loyally Yours,
A Kisaragi Colour
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