Jânio

Jânio Quadros was a Brazilian politician and lawyer who served as the 28th President of Brazil from January 15, 1961, to August 25, 1961. His presidency was marked by a brief but turbulent tenure, lasting only seven months before he resigned abruptly, an event known as the *Renúncia de Jânio Quadros* (Jânio Quadros' Resignation).

Born on January 25, 1917, in São Paulo, Quadros came from a modest background and studied law at the University of São Paulo. He began his political career in the 1940s, representing São Paulo in the National Congress and later serving as the state’s governor from 1955 to 1959. His populist and anti-corruption rhetoric resonated with many Brazilians, earning him widespread support during his presidential campaign in 1960.

Quadros took office promising to combat corruption, reduce government bureaucracy, and improve living standards. His administration implemented policies such as the *Plano de Metas* (Goals Plan), which aimed to modernize Brazil’s infrastructure, and he pursued a foreign policy that emphasized national sovereignty and opposition to Cold War tensions. However, his confrontational stance with powerful political and economic elites, as well as his erratic decision-making, strained relations within his own government.

On August 25, 1961, Quadros resigned without explanation, citing personal reasons and a lack of support from key allies. His resignation triggered a political crisis, as Vice President Ranieri Mazzilli temporarily assumed the presidency while Congress debated whether to accept the resignation or declare Quadros’ position vacant. The situation escalated into a constitutional crisis, with military leaders and regional governors playing pivotal roles. Ultimately, Congress accepted the resignation, and Mazzilli remained in office until a new election was held in 1962.

After leaving the presidency, Quadros remained politically active, running unsuccessfully for office multiple times. He died on December 19, 1992, in São Paulo, leaving behind a legacy as a controversial but influential figure in Brazilian politics. His brief presidency highlighted the challenges of balancing populist promises with the realities of governance in a complex political system.