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PMDB

PMDB, or Partido do Movimento Democrático Brasileiro, was a centrist political party in Brazil that existed from 1980 to 2017, when it rebranded as MDB (Movimento Democrático Brasileiro). It traces its origins to the Brazilian Democratic Movement (MDB), a broad opposition movement during the military dictatorship, and emerged as its legal successor after redemocratization in the early 1980s. The party grew to be one of Brazil's largest and most influential political forces, often acting as a kingmaker in coalition governments. It participated in presidential administrations through coalitions and produced several presidents and high-level officials, including José Sarney (1985–1990), Itamar Franco (1992–1995), and, as vice president turned president, Michel Temer (2011–2016; president 2016–2018). The PMDB frequently aligned with different parties across the political spectrum, supporting both reformist and populist agendas depending on the political context.

In 2017, the party adopted the simplified name MDB, and the official acronym MDB has been used

since.
The
party
is
generally
described
as
centrist
and
catch-all,
prioritizing
pragmatic
governance,
broad
coalitions,
and
institutional
stability
over
a
strict
ideological
platform.
It
has
maintained
strong
regional
bases
and
remains
a
substantial
force
in
Brazil's
political
landscape,
with
representation
at
federal
and
state
levels
and
a
history
of
influencing
budgetary
and
reform
agendas
through
coalition
governance.