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Brazil

Federative Republic of Brazil

Civil lawFederal presidential republicReviewed· 2026-04-27
Capital
Brasília
Population
217,000,000
Languages
Portuguese
Currency
BRL

Brazil · Government

Government and administration in Brazil

How the executive, legislature and administrative state are organised, and which body is responsible for what.

The three branches

Executive — President of the Republic
Four-year term, one consecutive re-election.
Legislative — National Congress: Chamber of Deputies and Federal Senate
513 deputies; 81 senators.
Judicial — Federal and state judiciary
Overseen administratively by the CNJ.
Independent — Ministério Público
A constitutionally autonomous fourth institution.

How legislation is made

Bills pass both chambers, with the initiating chamber reviewing amendments; the President may veto in whole or part, and Congress may override in joint session.

Enforcement institutions

Ministério Público Federal
Independent prosecution and civil public actions.
Polícia Federal
Federal crimes, borders and corruption.
Civil and military state police
Investigation and street policing respectively.

Government bodies and regulators

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