Fernando Collor de Mello 68997 226075093 2008-07-16T18:42:52Z 82.13.13.52 /* Collor's initiatives: free trade, privatization and state reforms */ {{Infobox_President | name=Fernando Affonso Collor de Mello | nationality=Brazilian | image=Fernando collor.jpg | term_start=[[March 15]], [[1990]] | term_end=[[December 29]], [[1992]] | predecessor=[[José Sarney]] | successor=[[Itamar Franco]] | birth_date={{Birth date and age|1949|8|12|mf=y}} | birth_place=[[Rio de Janeiro]], [[Rio de Janeiro (state)|Rio de Janeiro]] | dead=alive | death_date= | death_place= | spouse=[[Rosane Collor de Mello]] | party=[[National Renewal Alliance Party]] (1979-82), [[Democratic Social Party]] (1982-86), [[Brazilian Democratic Movement Party]] (1986-89), [[National Reconstruction Party]] (1989-93), [[Brazilian Labour Renewal Party]] (2000-2007), [[Brazilian Labour Party]] (current) | order=36th [[President of Brazil]] | vicepresident=[[Itamar Franco]] }} '''Fernando Affonso Collor de Mello''', [[Pronunciation|pron]]. {{IPA2|feʁ.'nɐ̃.dʊ a.'fõ.sʊ 'kɔ.lɔʁ di 'mɛ.lʊ}}, (born [[August 12]], [[1949]]) was president of [[Brazil]] from 1990 to 1992, when he resigned to avoid being impeached. He was elected a Senator of the republic in the [[Brazilian general elections, 2006|2006 general elections]] and began his term in February 2007. The son of Arnon Afonso de Farias Melo and Leda Collor de Mello, Collor was born in a political family, led by his father, a journalist and former governor of [[Alagoas]]. ==Early career== He became the president of Brazilian football club [[Centro Sportivo Alagoano]] (CSA) in 1976. Backed by his good looks and popularity, he entered politics, successively mayor of Alagoas' capital [[Maceió]] in 1979 ([[National Renewal Alliance Party]] (ARENA)), a federal deputy ([[Democratic Social Party]] (PDS)) in 1982, and eventually governor of the small eastern state of [[Alagoas]] ([[Brazilian Democratic Movement Party]] (PMDB)) in 1986. During his term as governor he attracted a lot of publicity by allegedly fighting the payment of super-salaries to public servants, whom he termed ''[[maharaja]]s'' (likening them to the former princes of India who received a stipend from the government as compensation for relinquishing their lands). The efficacy of his policies in reducing public expense is disputed, but it certainly made him popular over the country <ref> [http://www.bocc.ubi.pt/pag/silva-fabio-marketing-politico-imagem.pdf O marketing político e a importância da imagem-marca em campanhas eleitorais majoritárias]</ref>. This helped boost his political career, with the help of television appearances in nationwide broadcasts (quite unusual for a governor from such a small state). ==Presidency== In 1989 Collor defeated [[Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva]] in a two round presidential race and 35 million votes. He won in the state of São Paulo against many prominent political figures <ref> [http://www.cpdoc.fgv.br/dhbb/verbetes_htm/1418_1.asp. Fernando Collor] </ref>. The first democratically elected [[President of Brazil]] in 29 years, Collor spent the early years of his government allegedly battling [[inflation]], which at times reached rates of 25% per month. The very day he took office, Collor launched the ''Collor Plan'', implemented by his finance minister [[Zelia Cardoso de Mello]]. The Plan attempted to reduce the money supply by forcibly converting large portions of consumer bank accounts into non-cashable government bonds, while at the same time increasing the printing of money bills, a contradictory measure to combat [[hyper-inflation]]{{Fact|date=December 2007}}. ===Collor's initiatives: free trade, privatization and state reforms=== Under Zélia's tenure, Brazil had a period of major changes, featuring what [[ISTOÉ]] magazine called an "unprecedented" "revolution" <ref name="istoe">[http://www.terra.com.br/istoedinheiro/475/economia/zelia_esta_voltando.htm] "Revista Isto é"</ref> in many levels of public administration: "privatization, opening its market to free trade, encouraging industrial modernization, end of the hyper-inflation and public debt reduction."<ref name="scielo"> [http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?pid=S0034-71402005000200001&script=sci_arttext]. "Scielo" </ref>. In the month before Collor took power, hyperinflation was 84 percent per month and growing. All accounts over 50,000 Cruzeiros (about US$1,300 at that time), were frozen for 18 months. He also proposed freezes in wages and prices, as well as major cuts in government spending. The measures were received unenthusiastically by the people, though many felt that radical measures were necessary to kill the hyperinflation. Within a few months, however, inflation resumed, eventually reaching rates of 25 percent per month. During the course of his government, Collor was accused of condoning an influence peddling scheme. The accusations weighed on the government and they lead Collor and his team to an institutional crisis leading to a loss of credibility that reached the finance minister, Zélia <ref name="istoe"/>. This political crisis had negative consequences on his ability to carry out his policies and reforms.<ref>[http://www.unopec.com.br/revistaintellectus/_Arquivos/Jan_Jul_04/PDF/Artigo_Rangel.pdf Microsoft Word - Artigo.Rangel.doc<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> The ''Plano Collor I'', under Zélia would be renewed with the implementation of the ''Plano Collor II''; the government's loss of prestige would make that follow-up plan short-lived and largely ineffective.<ref name="scielo"/>. The failure of Zélia and Plano Collor I led to their substitution by Marcílio Marques Moreira and his Plano Collor II. Moreira's plan tried to correct some aspects of the first plan, but was too late. The Collor government was paralyzed by the fast deterioration of Collor's image, through a succession of corruption accusations.<ref>[http://www.portal-rp.com.br/bibliotecavirtual/projetosdepesquisa/0153.pdf]</ref> During the Plano Collor, yearly inflation was at first reduced from 30,000 percent in 1990 (Collor's first year in government) to 400 percent in 1991, then climbing to 1,020 percent in 1992 (when he left office).<ref>[http://www.sjsu.edu/faculty/watkins/brazilinfl.htm The Hyperinflation in Brazil, 1980-1994<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Inflation continued to rise to 2,294 percent in 1994 (two years after he left office).<ref>http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?frd/cstdy:@field(DOCID+br0009</ref> Although Zélia acknowledged later that the Plano Collor didn't end inflation, she also stated: ''"It is also possible to see with clarity that, under very difficult conditions, we promoted the equalization of the national debt --and that, together with the commercial opening, it created the basis for the implementation of the [[Plano Real]]"''<ref name="istoe"/>. Part of Collor's neoliberal program was followed by his successors:<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/portuguese/reporterbbc/story/2006/06/060626_lulafhcpimenta.shtml BBCBrasil.com | Reporter BBC | Lula segue política econômica de FHC, diz diretor do FMI<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Itamar Franco, [[Fernando Henrique Cardoso]] and Lula da Silva <ref> [http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache:tLeC1PlPDSsJ:netx.u-paris10.fr/actuelmarx/cm5/com/MI5_Eco_Novelli.doc A CONTINUIDADE DA POLÍTICA MACROECONÔMICA ENTRE O GOVERNO CARDOSO E O GOVERNO LULA: UMA ABORDAGEM SÓCIO-POLÍTICA]</ref>. Collor's administration privatized 15 different companies (including [[Acesita]], and began the process of privatization for others, such as [[Embraer]], [[Telebrás]] and [[Companhia Vale do Rio Doce]].<ref name="scielo"/>. Some members of Collor's government were also part of the later Cardoso administration in different or similar functions: [[Pedro Malan]], [[Renan Calheiros]] (PMDB-AL); [[Antônio Kandir]] (PSDB-SP); [[Pratini de Moraes]] and [[Celso Lafer]]; [[Reinhold Stephanes]] [[Armínio Fraga]]; [[Pedro Parente]]. [[Bresser Pereira]], a minister in the previous [[José Sarney|Sarney]] and the following Fernando Henrique Cardoso administrations, stated that "Collor changed the political agenda in the country, because implemented brave and very necessary reforms, and he pursued fiscal adjustments. Although other attempts had been made since [[1987]], it was during Collor's administration that old [[statist]] ideas were confronted and combatted (...) by a brave agenda of economic reforms geared towards free trade and privatization." <ref>Silvando da Silva do Nascimento, Rangel. [http://www.unopec.com.br/revistaintellectus/_Arquivos/Jan_Jul_04/PDF/Artigo_Rangel.pdf A POLÍTICA ECONÔMICA EXTERNA DO GOVERNO COLLOR: LIBERALIZAÇÃO COMERCIAL E FINANCEIRA]. Retrieved [[August 30]] [[2007]].</ref> According to Philippe Faucher, professor of political science at [[McGill University]],<ref>[http://www.mcgill.ca/cdas/members/faucher/]</ref> the combination of the political crisis and the hyperinflation continued to decrease Collor's credibility and in that political vacuum an impeachment process took place, precipitated by Pedro Collor's (Fernando Collor's brother) accusations and other social and political sectors which thought would be harmed by his policies.<ref name="scielo"/> [[Image:Collor01022007.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Collor de Mello, recent image]] ===Self-described Accomplishments<ref>[http://www.collor.com/didyouknow.asp Did you know]</ref>=== {{POV-section|date=December 2007}} Collor's official website lists the following as some of his accomplishments while in power: *Ended the moratorium on Brazil's $ 115 billion dollars foreign debt and began repayment negotiations. *Abolished restrictions on nearly 800 specific imports *Established a tariff reduction schedule *Abolished price and wage indexes *Signed the Assunción Treaty with Paraguay, Uruguay and Argentina to create Mercosur- a common market for South America. *Began privatization of more than 70 government-run companies. *Decreased the government payroll *Decreased the fiscal deficit *Created a monthy budgetary surplus ===Awards=== In 1991, UNICEF chose three health programs: Community Agents, Lay Midwives and Eradication of measles as the best in the world. These programs were promoted during Collor's administration. Until 1989, the Brazilian record vaccination, was considered the worst in South America. During Collor's administration, Brazil won an UNO prize, as the best in South America, for its vaccination program. Collor's project ''Minha Gente'' (''My People'') won the UNO award ''Project Model for the Humanity'' in 1993. <ref> [http://www.collor.com/didyouknow.asp Did you know]</ref>. ===Corruption charges and impeachment=== In May 1991, Fernando Collor was accused by his brother, [[Pedro Collor]], of corruption, by condoning an [[influence peddling]] scheme run by his campaign treasurer, [[Paulo César Farias]]. The Federal Police and Congress began an investigation soon after. Some months later, with the investigation progressing and under fire, Collor went on national television to ask for the people's support by going out on the street and protesting against "coup" forces. On [[August 11]] [[1992]], students organized by the National Student Union (União Nacional dos Estudantes - UNE), thousands of students protested on the streets against Collor. Their faces, often painted in a mixture of the colors of the flag and protest-black, lead to them being called "''Caras-pintadas''" ("''Painted Faces''").<ref>Rezende, Tatiana Matos [http://www.une.org.br/home3/movimento_estudantil/movimento_estudantil_2007/m_9920.html UNE 70 Anos: "Fora Collor: o grito da juventude cara-pintada"] União Nacional dos Estudantes. Retrieved [[August 17]], [[2007]].</ref> On [[August 26]] [[1992]], the final congressional inquiry report was released, where it was proven that Fernando Collor had personal expenses paid for by money raised by Paulo César Farias through his influence peddling scheme. Impeachment proceedings were installed in the lower house of congress on [[September 29]] [[1992]]. Collor was impeached, and subsequently removed from office by a vote of 441 for and 38 votes against.<ref>Lattman-Weltman, Fernando. [http://www.cpdoc.fgv.br/nav_fatos_imagens/htm/fatos/Impeachment.asp [[September 29]] [[1992]]: Collor's Impeachment]{{pt icon}} Fundação Getúlio Vargas. Retrieved [[August 17]], [[2007]].</ref> Later, on [[December 29]] [[1992]], Fernando Collor resigned his term in office just before the [[Brazilian Senate]] was to vote for his [[impeachment]]. The Senate did so anyway and suspended his political rights for eight years. In 1994, the Supreme Federal Tribunal, tried the criminal charges stemming from the incident, and ruled he was not guilty of charges of corruption, but did not reinstate his political rights.<ref> [http://oglobo.globo.com/pais/eleicoes2006/mat/2006/10/01/285924531.asp Fernando Collor é eleito senador por Alagoas]</ref>. The Supreme Federal Tribunal threw out the charges of corruption on a [[technicality]],<ref> [http://oglobo.globo.com/pais/eleicoes2006/mat/2006/10/01/285924531.asp Fernando Collor é eleito senador por Alagoas]</ref> citing a lack of evidence linking Collor to Farias' influence peddling scheme. The only piece of evidence, Paulo César Farias' personal computer, was found to have been obtained illegally and thus void as evidence. <ref>[http://www.senado.gov.br/sf/noticia/senamidia/principaisJornais/verNoticia1.asp?ud=20060418&datNoticia=20060418&codNoticia=183629&nomeOrgao=&nomeJornal=O+Globo&codOrgao=2729 Como foi a ação contra Collor]</ref> ===Collor's version of the impeachment=== {{POV-section|date=December 2007}} In discussing the events surrounding the corruption charges, Collor's official website states: ''"After two and half years of the most intense investigation in Brazilian history, the Supreme Court of Brazil declared him innocent of all charges. Today he is the only politician in Brazil to have an officially clear record validated by an investigation by all interests and sectors of the opposition government. Furthermore, President Fernando Collor signed the initial document authorizing the investigation <ref>[http://www.collor.com/didyouknow.asp Did You Know?] </ref>."'' ==Post-presidency== In December 1994, the Brazilian Supreme Court threw out the corruption charges citing a lack of evidence linking Collor to Farias' influence peddling scheme. The only piece of evidence, Paulo César Farias' personal computer, was found to have been obtained illegally and thus void as evidence.<ref>[http://congressoemfoco.ig.com.br/Noticia.aspx?id=15483 A volta por cima de Collor] </ref> In 2000, Collor tried to run for [[mayor of São Paulo]]. His candidacy was declared invalid by the courts, as his political rights were still suspended by the filing deadline.<ref>Percival Albano Nogueira Junior, José. [http://jus2.uol.com.br/pecas/texto.asp?id=344 Sentença de indeferimento do registro da candidatura de Fernando Collor à Prefeitura de São Paulo] Jus Navigandi. [[August 4]], [[2000]]. Retrieved on [[August 18]], [[2007]].</ref> In 2002, with political rights restored, he ran for Governor of [[Alagoas]], but lost to incumbent Governor [[Ronaldo Lessa]], who was seeking reelection.<ref>Simas Filho, Mário.[http://www.terra.com.br/istoe/1925/brasil/1925_elle_voltou.htm Elle Voltou]. IstoÉ Online. [[September 13]], [[2006]]. Retrieved on [[August 18]], [[2007]].</ref> In 2006, Collor was elected to the Brazilian senate representing his state of [[Alagoas]], with 44.03% of the vote, running again against Lessa <ref>[http://www1.folha.uol.com.br/folha/brasil/ult96u84430.shtml Após 14 anos de sua renúncia, Collor volta a Brasília como senador] Folha Online. [[October 10]] [[2006]]. Retrieved on [[August 17]], [[2007]]</ref>. ==References== {{Reflist|2}} ==External links== * [http://www.collor.com/ Official web site] * [http://www.collor.com/as100.asp Collor´s 100 Achievements] * [http://www.collor.com/didyouknow.asp Did you know?] * [http://www.collor.com/collorplan.asp The ''Collor Plan''] {{start box}} {{succession box | before=[[José de Medeiros Tavares]] | title=[[Governor]] of [[Alagoas]] | after=[[Moacir Lopes de Andrade]] | years=1987 &ndash; 1989}} {{succession box | before = [[José Sarney]] | title = [[President of Brazil]] |years=[[March 15]], [[1990]] &ndash; [[October 2]], [[1992]]| after = [[Itamar Franco]]}} {{end box}} {{Presidents_of_Brazil}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Collor de Mello, Fernando}} [[Category:Presidents of Brazil]] [[Category:Brazilian politicians]] [[Category:1949 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:People from Rio de Janeiro (city)]] [[Category:Brazilian people]] [[Category:Brazilians of German descent]] [[Category:Impeached officials]] [[Category:Impeached officials removed from office]] [[ar:فيرناندو دي كولور ميلو]] [[ca:Fernando Collor de Mello]] [[de:Fernando Collor de Mello]] [[es:Fernando Collor de Mello]] [[eo:Fernando Collor de Mello]] [[fr:Fernando Collor de Mello]] [[gl:Fernando Collor de Mello]] [[ko:페르난두 콜로르 지 멜루]] [[io:Fernando Collor de Mello]] [[id:Fernando Collor de Mello]] [[it:Fernando Collor de Mello]] [[he:פרננדו קולור דה מלו]] [[nl:Fernando Collor de Mello]] [[ja:フェルナンド・コロール・デ・メロ]] [[no:Fernando Affonso Collor de Mello]] [[oc:Fernando Collor de Mello]] [[pt:Fernando Collor de Mello]] [[zh:费尔南多·科洛尔·德梅洛]]