Constitution of Brazil

The 1988 constitution that closed two decades of military rule with expansive rights.

Overview

Adopted in October 1988 after a broadly participatory constituent congress, the current Brazilian Constitution is nicknamed the citizen constitution for its dense catalogue of rights. It ended the military regimes institutional acts, restored direct presidential elections, and included social rights to health, education, and housing, environmental protection, and protections for indigenous peoples. It is long and detailed, amended dozens of times, which critics say constitutionalizes policy. It created a strong federalism of states and municipalities and empowered courts, including a Supreme Federal Tribunal that has become one of the worlds most active constitutional courts.