Brazil has three Presidents that never took office

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

First was Júlio Prestes, elected in 1930 but prevented from taking office by a military junta that outset outgoing President Washington Luis and a few days later installed Vargas (who was Prestes' opponent in the election).

Then we have perhaps the most curious case. After Costa e Silva's stroke, his civilian Vice President Pedro Aleixo should have succeeded, but a military junta (again) took over until "election" of Garrastazu Médici. However, in 2012 a law was passed recognizing Aleixo as legitimate President from August 31 to October 30 1969.

And finally the best know example: Tancredo Neves elected first civilian President in twenty years, fell ill a day before his inauguration, so his Vice President had to take over temporarily. Despite initial hopes, Neves died, never being formally sworn in, but is recognized as former President as a courtesy.


Technically, there was Rodrigues Alves who died before taking office in 1919, but served a term as President before (1902-1906).

[buritobr]

"First was Júlio Prestes, elected in 1930 but prevented from taking office by a military junta that outset outgoing President Washington Luis and a few days later installed Vargas (who was Prestes' opponent in the election)."

Sure. The Revolution of 1930 took place during Washington Luis's lame duck time. Since the elections before 1930 were rigged, the votes were open, not secret, landlords used to control the votes of the peasants, it was not possible to say that democracy was broken, like in 1964. The Revolution (or the coup) of 1930 replaced a pseudo-democracy for a dictatorship that built the institutions that made democracy work between 1945 and 1964.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

"First was Júlio Prestes, elected in 1930 but prevented from taking office by a military junta that outset outgoing President Washington Luis and a few days later installed Vargas (who was Prestes' opponent in the election)."

Sure. The Revolution of 1930 took place during Washington Luis's lame duck time. Since the elections before 1930 were rigged, the votes were open, not secret, landlords used to control the votes of the peasants, it was not possible to say that democracy was broken, like in 1964. The Revolution (or the coup) of 1930 replaced a pseudo-democracy for a dictatorship that built the institutions that made democracy work between 1945 and 1964.

Yes, that's one of my favorite paradoxes. República Velha's democratic system was in a large part democratic in name only. Aside of limited franchise, it was pretty much oligarchs from Sao Paulo and Minas Gerais alternating as President. So yes, despite being a dictator from 1930 to 1945 Vargas was pretty much not only a father of modern Brazilian state, but a father of modern Brazilian democracy as well.

Best part is that Getulio was pretty much an oligarch himself, and served for a time in Luis' cabinet, except he came from Rio Grande de Sul, not Sao Paulo or Minas (though it must be admitted that coronels from states such as Bahia or Rio Grande did partake in the system, but to lesser extend than those from two major states).

[Lincoln Republican]

First was Júlio Prestes, elected in 1930 but prevented from taking office by a military junta that outset outgoing President Washington Luis and a few days later installed Vargas (who was Prestes' opponent in the election).

Then we have perhaps the most curious case. After Costa e Silva's stroke, his civilian Vice President Pedro Aleixo should have succeeded, but a military junta (again) took over until "election" of Garrastazu Médici. However, in 2012 a law was passed recognizing Aleixo as legitimate President from August 31 to October 30 1969.

And finally the best know example: Tancredo Neves elected first civilian President in twenty years, fell ill a day before his inauguration, so his Vice President had to take over temporarily. Despite initial hopes, Neves died, never being formally sworn in, but is recognized as former President as a courtesy.


Technically, there was Rodrigues Alves who died before taking office in 1919, but served a term as President before (1902-1906).

It only makes sense that there would be a Medici in there somewhere.