Podemos (PODE; [poˈdemus], lit.'We can'), previously known as the National Labour Party (Portuguese: Partido Trabalhista Nacional, PTN) is a centre-right Brazilian political party. Historically labourist and Janist,[7][8][9][10] since 2016 the party shifted its focus to support anti-corruption policies and direct democracy.[11][10]

Podemos
AbbreviationPODE
PresidentRenata Abreu
Secretary-GeneralLuiz Cláudio França
Vice PresidentEveraldo Pereira
Founded1 May 1995
Merger ofHumanist Party of Solidarity
Social Christian Party
Split fromBrazilian Labour Party
HeadquartersSHIS QI 9, Conj. 6, Casa 7 - Lago Sul, Brasília, Brazil
Think tankFundação Podemos
Youth wingPodemos Jovem
Women's wingPodemos Mulher
LGBT wingPodemos Diversidade
Black wingPodemos Afro
Membership (2022)404,107[1]
IdeologyLiberal conservatism[2]
Anti-corruption[2]
Direct democracy[3][4]
Political positionCentre-right[5][6]
Colors  Green
  Blue
Slogan"Together we can"
TSE Identification Number19
Chamber of Deputies
15 / 513
Federal Senate
6 / 81
Website
podemos.org.br

Led by the Abreu family (José Masci de Abreu, Dorival de Abreu, and Renata Abreu) since its foundation in 1995, the PTN changed its name to Podemos in 2016. The party claims that the inspiration for its name was the slogan of Barack Obama's campaign "Yes, we can".[12][13]

In 2018, the party chose Senator Alvaro Dias as its candidate for the presidency of Brazil.[14][15][16]

In 2018, it merged with the Humanist Party of Solidarity.[17] In 2022, it announced plans to merge with the Social Christian Party.[18] In 2023, the merge was approved by the Superior Electoral Court.[19]

History edit

National Labour Party (1995–2016) edit

The PTN was founded in May 1995, gaining provisional registration in the same year. In 1996, led by former congressman Dorival de Abreu, the party obtained its definitive registration. After the death of Dorival, the party was led by his brother and former congressman José de Abreu. In the presidential election of 1998 the PTN chose its secretary-general Thereza Ruiz as its candidate; she obtained 166,053 votes.

In the 2014 elections, the PTN elected four congressmen—Bacelar, Renata Abreu (daughter of José de Abreu, and currently the national president of the party), Christiane de Souza Yared and Delegate Edson Moreira—and 14 state deputies. In 2016, several politicians changed their party and some of them joined the PTN, which now has 18 congressmen and 5 senators.[20]

The PTN was the party that had the greatest proportional growth in the local elections of 2016.[13]

Podemos (2016–present) edit

In December 2016, the then National Labour Party changed its name and was renamed Podemos. Based on research and consulting studies, the organization was renamed inspired in the chant "Yes, we can" from the 2008 Barack Obama campaign to the presidency.[21][13][22][23] According to the party's leadership, Podemos was inspired by an international line of movements that propose to listen to people,[24] defend causes of collective interest[10] and together decide the future of the nation,[25] a model that claims to leave the old dispute between left or right and chooses to go forward, every day dividing more the country's decisions with the population.[26] Podemos believes it is the answer to a generation that understands that it is not the youth who does not want to know about politics, but this politics that does not know how to talk to the youth.[27] The leadership of Podemos also understands that the party is part of a society that today is mobilized through causes related to people's daily life, contrary to what they consider as stagnant political parties in outmoded models that seek only to remain in power. Podemos arose in a historical context in which the vast majority of Brazilians have no party preference and do not believe in the old political parties and the old politics.[28]

After the JBS plea bargain, Podemos was the first party to leave the allied base of the Michel Temer government on 18 May 2017, also leaving the party bloc of which it integrated alongside Progressive (PP) and Labour Party of Brazil (PTdoB) parties and then declaring independence in relation to government.[29] Podemos became represented in the Federal Senate with the affiliation of Alvaro Dias (ex Green) and Romário, who left the Social Democratic Party at the end of June.[30] In August, the party received the affiliation of José Medeiros (ex Social Democrat), senator by Mato Grosso. In November, Podemos expelled state congressmen who voted to free Jorge Picciani, the president of Alerj, Paulo Melo and Edson Albertassi from the prison, who were the target of Operação Cadeia Velha.[31] After this episode, Podemos also expelled a congressman that accepted the position of Minister of the Cities in President Michel Temer's cabinet.[32]

In July 2017, the party made an online poll to decide how congresswoman Renata Abreu should vote regarding the complaint of passive corruption against President Temer in the Commission of Constitution and Justice.[33] Later, Podemos made other online polls to decide how their parliament members should vote on welfare reform and the end of legal immunity.[34]

In the 2018 general election, Podemos formed a coalition with the Social Christian Party, the Christian Labour Party and the Progressive Republican Party in support of the candidacy of Alvaro Dias for president. Dias obtained 859,601 votes (0,80%); the party performed well in parliamentary election, electing 11 deputies and one senator. Dias endorsed Bolsonaro in the second round.[35]

On 21 December 2018, the Humanist Party of Solidarity merged into Podemos, increasing its parliamentary representation to 17 deputies and seven senators and turning Podemos into the third group in the Senate.[36] Podemos later joined Bolsonaro's majority.[37]

Ideology edit

According to the party's president Renata Abreu, Podemos is not about left and right, but forward, with more democracy to together decide the future of the country.[24] In the classical analysis of the political sciences, Podemos is defined as the center, with liberal proposals in the economy as well as distribution and income, when it comes to social development. This ideology, which is based on defending causes, results in three principles, namely transparency, popular participation and direct democracy, to jointly decide the future of Brazil. In this line, Podemos intends to give voice to people who do not feel represented by the current Brazilian political parties.[38]

Podemos believes that the Brazilian people need to know well who they voted for, what they stand for and their decisions.[39] For Podemos, transparency means the right of the population to know what happens in the country and thus avoid corruption.[3][40] Podemos believes that Brazil needs more popular participation in politics, such as people being part of the governments, in the decisions of their neighborhoods, consultations to help the mayor, suggestions for their cities or collaborating to improve their states and country.[41][38] The party is known for making online consultations on topics under discussion in the Congress and for committing to present projects that have the signature of at least 20,000 voters.[42] For Podemos, a country is made with the participation of the people, day by day, every day.[43] Among the projects and proposals defended in the agenda, the party presented through its president PEC 185-2015, authored by Renata Abreu, which turns to law the right of access to the internet for each Brazilian citizen, guaranteeing access to information and the possibility of participating in decisions.[44] Podemos also believes that the true definition of the word democracy is to gradually share decision making with the people. The party defends more mechanisms of direct democracy in Brazil,[41] either through plebiscites, referendums like the PEC 330/2017 authored by Renata Abreu who proposes that in each election the people can vote in more than candidates, but also in important subjects of interest of most people,[45] popular referendums as advocated by PEC 331/2017, also by congresswoman Renata Abreu, to include in the constitution the right of the people to veto laws that have already been approved,[46] or recall as proposed by the projects of candidate for the presidency Alvaro Dias (PEC 37/2016)[47] and Renata Abreu (PEC 332/2017),[48] so that the citizen can participate in the decision making, asserting his right to participate directly in the whole democratic process.[41]

After pastor Marco Feliciano and pastor Cabo Daciolo (the latter of whom advocated the transformation of Brazil into a theocracy)[49] entered PODE in 2018, the party shifted toward a more social conservative direction, although both would leave a few years later to join other parties.

Policies edit

  • End of legal Immunity and other privileges: end to privileges and corruption, reinforced by the bill PEC 333/2017 by Senator Alvaro Dias which aims to end the legal immunity.[50]
  • Ensure imprisonment after second instance: against impunity in the country, legitimize the imprisonment in second instance as in the bill filed by Senator Alvaro Dias.[51]
  • Transparency in all the public accounts: disclose all government accounts in a transparency portal, including your spending, contracts and budgets, so anyone can see.
  • End to compulsory voting: adopt the optional vote in Brazil as proposed by the bill PEC 11/2015, authored by Senator Alvaro Dias.[52]
  • Recall Elections: adopt the recall system to revoke the mandate of bad rulers as proposed by Renata Abreu and Alvaro Dias in PEC 37/2016.[53]
  • Open a public debt audit of the country: open an application for a public debt audit in Brazil to know the exact financial situation of the country.[54]
  • Population guide the vote of its parliament members: create a law so that the voters can decide the votes of the parliamentarians on more important projects.[34]
  • Include plebiscites and referendums to each election: at each election include to vote plebiscites or referendums on important issues as proposed by Alvaro Dias on the reduction of the criminal majority.[55]
  • Internet access as a right to all the Brazilians: make the internet a right for every Brazilian citizen as proposed by the bill PEC 185-2015, authored by Renata Abreu.[44]
  • Defend the population's interest in causes: open to vote the most important causes for the population, so that they can define the priorities of the government.[10]

Leadership edit

List of current party leaders including House of Representatives and Senate members:

  • Renata Abreu, congresswoman and president of Podemos
  • Alvaro Dias, senator
  • Oriovisto Guimarães, senator
  • Adail Carneiro, congressman
  • Cajar Nardes, congressman
  • Dâmina Pereira, congresswoman
  • Dr. Sinval Malheiros, congressman
  • Ezequiel Cortaz Teixeira, congressman
  • Francisco Chapadinha, congressman
  • Jozi Araújo, congresswoman
  • Laudivio Carvalho, congressman
  • Marcelo Ortiz, congressman
  • Ricardo Teobaldo, congressman

Plan for Brazil edit

With policies of more transparency, more participation and direct democracy, Podemos aims to pass new bills, elect new leaders and change the country's political system.[38] Whether with a cause in the streets, new laws in the congress, technology to vote through cell phones or with a name like Alvaro Dias to take over the presidency of the country and rebuild the Republic,[56][57] Podemos proposal is to gradually end the old politics, end privileges and replace the current system marked by corruption.[58] In ten years, the party wants to leave behind a country marked by scandals to transform Brazil into a more correct, fair and transparent nation that truly represents its population.[59]

Electoral results edit

Presidential elections edit

Year Image Candidate Vice presidential candidate Political alliance Votes % Placing
1998
 
Thereza Ruiz (PTN) Eduardo Gomes (PTN) No coalition 166,138 0.25 10th
2018   Alvaro Dias (PODE) Paulo Rabello de Castro (PSC) PODE, PSC, PTC, PRP 859,574 0.8 9th

Legislative elections edit

Election Chamber of Deputies Federal Senate Role in government
Votes % Seats +/– Votes % Seats +/–
1998 64,712 0.10%
0 / 513
New 42,042 0.07%
0 / 81
New Extra-parliamentary
2002 118,471 0.14%
0 / 513
  0 107,122 0.07%
0 / 81
  0 Extra-parliamentary
2006 149,809 0.16%
0 / 513
  0 11,063 0.01%
0 / 81
  0 Extra-parliamentary
2010 182,926 0.19%
0 / 513
  0 6,013 0.00%
0 / 81
  0 Extra-parliamentary
2014 723,182 0.74%
4 / 513
  4 2,741 0.00%
0 / 81
  0 Coalition (2014–2016)
Independent (2016–2018)
2018 2,243,320 2.28%
11 / 513
  7 5,494,125 3.21%
5 / 81
  5 Independent
2022 3,614,581 3.28%
12 / 513
  1 1,776,283 1.75%
6 / 81
  1 Opposition (2022–2023)
Independent (2023–)

References edit

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  2. ^ a b "Cartiha" (PDF) (in Brazilian Portuguese). Podemos. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
  3. ^ a b correspondente, Bruna Borges. "Veja como é o novo partido de Alvaro Dias, o Podemos". Gazeta do Povo.
  4. ^ "PODEMOS: Novo partido defende transparência e democracia direta | Mais RO". June 21, 2017.
  5. ^ "Brazil's 'third way' candidates gear up to challenge Bolsonaro". Financial Times. 25 August 2021. Retrieved 25 January 2022. Moro is currently working in the private sector, but his name has been floated as a potential presidential contender for the centre-right Podemos party.
  6. ^ "Sergio Moro all but launches presidential bid for 2022". Brazilian Report. 10 October 2021. Retrieved 25 January 2022. The former anti-corruption judge-turned-politician talked about "fighting for Brazill" and "renewing the country's leadership" as he joined the center-right Podemos party
  7. ^ "Para Celso Pitta, PTN ainda crescerá" (in Brazilian Portuguese). 11 September 1999. Archived from the original on 22 January 2024. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
  8. ^ Ritto, Cecília (29 September 2012). "Disputas internas são a marca do nanico PTN no Rio". VEJA (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 22 January 2024.
  9. ^ "História – Podemos" (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2024-01-22.
  10. ^ a b c d "Novo partido Podemos usa estratégia internacional para se firmar". Exame (in Brazilian Portuguese). 2017-06-30. Archived from the original on 30 June 2017. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
  11. ^ "Podemos". Tribunal Superior Eleitoral (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2021-03-07.
  12. ^ Camarotti, Gerson (2017-03-21). "Deputados articulam novo partido para a disputa de 2018". Blog do Camarotti (in Portuguese). Retrieved 2021-03-07.
  13. ^ a b c Pitombo, João Pedro (2016-11-22). "PTN, que já teve Jânio e Pitta, muda para Podemos, inspirado em Obama". Folha de S.Paulo. Retrieved 2021-03-07.
  14. ^ iG São Paulo (2018-08-04). "Alvaro Dias é oficializado candidato à Presidência pelo Podemos". Último Segundo (in Portuguese). Retrieved 2021-03-07.
  15. ^ Richter, André (2018-08-06). "Thirteen in Brazil's presidential race this year". Agência Brasil. Retrieved 2021-03-07.
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  22. ^ Alcântara, Manoela (2016-11-22). "PTN muda de nome a passa a se chamar Podemos". Metrópoles. Retrieved 2021-03-06.
  23. ^ Faro, Romulo (2016-11-24). "PTN muda de nome e vira Podemos". Archived from the original on 2016-11-27. Retrieved 2018-09-24.
  24. ^ a b Wilkson, Adriano (2016-10-31). "PTN quer virar Podemos brasileiro e surfar na queda da esquerda". UOL Eleições 2016 (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2021-03-07.
  25. ^ Martins, Fernando (2017-06-30). "Novo partido de Alvaro Dias quer ouvir eleitores para tudo". Gazeta do Povo (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2021-03-07.
  26. ^ "Diante de crise política, partidos mudam de nome para atrair eleitores em 2018". G1.
  27. ^ Online, J. C. (June 25, 2017). "Após deixar PSB, Antônio Campos anuncia entrada no Podemos, ex-PTN". JC.
  28. ^ "Nasceu o Podemos brasileiro. Agora segue-se a Geringonça". www.dn.pt.
  29. ^ Conteúdo, Igor Gadelha, do Estadão (May 18, 2017). "Com 13 deputados, PTN anuncia rompimento com governo Temer". Jornal Correio.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  30. ^ Reuters Staff (November 17, 2017). "Romario and Bebeto team up again, this time in politics" – via www.reuters.com. {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  31. ^ "Romário expulsa deputados do Podemos que votaram para salvar Picciani".
  32. ^ "Novo ministro das Cidades é desfiliado do Podemos por aceitar ser ministro de Temer; PP será sua nova sigla". November 20, 2017.
  33. ^ "Deputada faz votação online para decidir voto contra Temer".
  34. ^ a b Podemos faz votação online para decidir votos de deputados
  35. ^ disse, Magda Santos (2018-10-10). "ALVARO DIAS APOIA BOLSONARO DE OLHO NO MINISTÉRIO". urbsmagna.com (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2019-02-14.
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  39. ^ "Transparência – Podemos".
  40. ^ "Podemos RJ abre processo para expulsão de deputados que votaram pela soltura de Picciani, Albertassi e Paulo Melo". G1.
  41. ^ a b c Martins, Fernando. "Novo partido de Alvaro Dias quer ouvir eleitores para tudo". Gazeta do Povo.
  42. ^ "PTN oficializa mudança para Podemos e lança Álvaro Dias como pré-candidato ao Planalto - Política". Estadão.
  43. ^ "Presidente nacional participa de lançamento do Podemos no PI nesta segunda". CidadeVerde.com.
  44. ^ a b Paulo, iG São (October 31, 2017). "Proposta que inclui internet entre direitos fundamentais é aprovada na CCJ". Último Segundo.
  45. ^ "Portal da Câmara dos Deputados". www.camara.leg.br.
  46. ^ "Portal da Câmara dos Deputados". www.camara.leg.br.
  47. ^ "PEC 37/2016 - Senado Federal". www25.senado.leg.br.
  48. ^ "Portal da Câmara dos Deputados". www.camara.leg.br.
  49. ^ Umpieres, Rodrigo Tolotti. "Quem é Cabo Daciolo, o candidato nacionalista que quer transformar o Brasil em uma teocracia". www.infomoney.com.br.
  50. ^ "O avanço do fim do foro". December 15, 2017.
  51. ^ "Para Álvaro Dias, decisão de tribunal de 2ª instância deveria prevalecer". March 23, 2018.
  52. ^ "Senado abre consulta pública para projeto de lei que acaba com o voto obrigatório". Jornal Opção. July 8, 2016.
  53. ^ Scortecci, Catarina. "PEC do "recall" para políticos fica na gaveta do Senado". Gazeta do Povo.
  54. ^ Tomazelli, Rondinelli (November 21, 2016). "Dívida pública atinge R$ 4 trilhões e vira alvo de auditoria do TCU". Gazeta Online.
  55. ^ Online, Gazeta do Povo. "Veja a opinião das lideranças paranaenses sobre o referendo". Gazeta do Povo.
  56. ^ GmbH, finanzen net. "BRAZIL: Presidential Candidate Alvaro Dias Wants To Rebuld The Republic". markets.businessinsider.com.
  57. ^ Career Politician Eyeing Brazil's Presidency Wants Radical Rupture
  58. ^ "Veterano, Alvaro Dias diz que estará no 2º turno: 'Às vezes, ser desconhecido é uma vantagem'". BBC News Brasil.
  59. ^ "Álvaro Dias, Romário e Marcelinho Carioca se filiam ao Podemos". G1.

External links edit

Preceded by Numbers of Brazilian Official Political Parties
19 - PODE
Succeeded by