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Itamar Franco

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Itamar Augusto Cautiero Franco was a prominent Brazilian politician.

Itamar Franco
Itamar Franco

He served as the 33rd president of Brazil from late 1992 to early 1995. Before becoming president, he served as the 21st vice president of the country. His political career spanned many different levels of government. He held roles as a mayor, a senator, a governor, and an ambassador. These positions allowed him to influence both local and national policy for many years.

Franco's early life was quite unique. He was born prematurely while aboard a ship at sea. The vessel was traveling between Salvador and Rio de Janeiro. His family had diverse European roots. His father's side included the Stiebler family from Minas Gerais, who were of partial German descent. His mother, named Itália, was of Italian descent. Her parents had emigrated to Brazil from Italy. Franco grew up in Juiz de Fora. He graduated as a civil engineer in 1955 from the School of Engineering of Juiz de Fora.

His journey into politics began in the mid-1950s.

Itamar Franco na década de 1970
Itamar Franco na década de 1970

He first served as an alderman and deputy mayor in Juiz de Fora. He later became the mayor of that city for two different terms. In 1974, he moved to national politics by winning a seat in the Federal Senate. He represented the state of Minas Gerais. During this time, he was a senior figure in the Brazilian Democratic Movement. This group served as the official opposition to the military regime that ruled Brazil from 1964 to 1985.

As a senator, Franco was involved in many important decisions. He was a member of the National Constituent Assembly starting in February 1987. During this period, he voted on many significant social and economic issues. He voted for the nationalization of the subsoil and the financial system. He also supported the establishment of the writ of mandamus. However, he voted against propositions to reintroduce the death penalty. He also voted to confirm the presidential system of government.

In 1989, Franco joined the National Reconstruction Party (PRN). He became the running mate for presidential candidate Fernando Collor de Mello. They won a very narrow election against Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

Fernando Collor e Itamar Franco 2
Fernando Collor e Itamar Franco 2

Once in office, Franco disagreed with many of Collor's economic and financial policies. He specifically opposed the policy of privatization. Because of these disagreements, Franco left the PRN in early 1992. In September 1992, Congress impeached President Collor due to corruption charges. Franco became the acting president on October 2, 1992. He officially took the presidency on December 29, 1992.

Franco inherited a nation facing a severe economic crisis.

In 1992, inflation reached 1,110 percent. By 1993, it had risen to almost 2,400 percent. To fix this, Franco appointed Fernando Henrique Cardoso as his Finance Minister. Together, they implemented the Plano Real. This economic plan was successful in stabilizing the economy and controlling inflation. During his term, Brazil also held a referendum. The citizens voted to keep the presidential republic instead of restoring a monarchy. By the end of his term, Franco's approval rating reached between 80 and 90 percent.

After his presidency, Franco continued to serve Brazil in various capacities. He served as an ambassador to Portugal and to the Organization of American States. In 1998, he won a landslide election to become the governor of Minas Gerais. He later returned to the Senate, representing Minas Gerais after the 2010 election.

Itamar Franco 2011
Itamar Franco 2011

He remained a significant figure in Brazilian politics until his death. He passed away on July 2, 2011, at the age of 81. He had been struggling with leukemia and pneumonia. His passing was recognized nationally, with seven days of mourning declared by the president.

Franco's life connects to the broader history of Brazil's transition to democracy. He helped guide the country through a period of extreme economic instability. His leadership helped restore integrity to the government after the Collor administration.

Presidentes do Brasil 2
Presidentes do Brasil 2

His work on the Plano Real changed the financial landscape of the nation. Even after his presidency, his opinions on privatization and economic policy continued to influence Brazilian political debate.

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🖼️ Images & Media (15)
File:Itamar Franco na década de 1970.jpg
Itamar Franco na década de 1970.jpg
File:Fernando Collor e Itamar Franco 2.jpg
Fernando Collor e Itamar Franco 2.jpg
File:Itamar Franco.jpg
Itamar Franco.jpg
File:Presidentes do Brasil 2.jpg
Presidentes do Brasil 2.jpg
File:Itamar Franco 2011.jpg
Itamar Franco 2011.jpg
File:BRA Ordem do Mérito Aeronáutico Grã-Cruz.png
BRA Ordem do Mérito Aeronáutico Grã-Cruz.png
File:BRA Ordem do Merito Militar Gra-cruz.png
BRA Ordem do Merito Militar Gra-cruz.png
File:BRA Ordem de Rio Branco Gra-Cruz BAR.svg
BRA Ordem de Rio Branco Gra-Cruz BAR.svg
File:Order of Naval Merit - Grand Cross (Brazil) - ribbon bar.png
Order of Naval Merit - Grand Cross...
File:National Order of Merit - Grand Cross (Brazil) - ribbon bar.png
National Order of Merit - Grand Cross...
File:GER Bundesverdienstkreuz 2 BVK.svg
GER Bundesverdienstkreuz 2 BVK.svg
File:ARG Order of the Liberator San Martin - Grand Cross BAR.svg
ARG Order of the Liberator San Martin -...

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