Progressive Party of Brazil

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The Progressive Party of Brazil, though renamed several times, is one of Brazil's oldest parties with a continuous history. The Party of the Brazilian Democratic Movement (PMDB) is the only other party with such a long continuous history (though it has also been renamed since its formation).

The Progressive Party of Brazil was founded in 1965 by the newly-inaugurated military regime, to gather the supporters of the government. The party was then called ARENA (Aliança Renovadora Nacional; 'National Renewing Alliance'), and so was until 1979, when the pro-democratic reforms changed it to PDS (Partido Democrático Social; 'Social Democratic Party'). In the first free elections since the military dictatorship, in 1986, the Party was seriously defeated in the parliament and state governorships. Then it was renamed PP (Partido Progressista; 'Progressive Party') and soon later PPR (Partido Progressista Republicano; 'Republican Progressive Party') in 1991. Again the name was changed to PPB (Partido Progressista Brasileiro; 'Brazilian Progressive Party') and finally back to PP (Progressive Party) in 2003.

Its most well-known politicians are Paulo Maluf, mayor and governor of São Paulo for several terms; Esperidião Amin, former governor of Santa Catarina and senator; and Francisco Dornelles, former minister of Labor.

The party has from its very beginning shown a tendency for regional division, with the sections from Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina states often threatening with secession, in part due to what is viewed by them as condescendence of the party's national direction towards members involved in corruption scandals, including Paulo Maluf (who has recently been discharged from his post as de facto leader of PP.) The national orientation of the party has been one of close alliance with Lula's Workers' Party government (except on issues sensitive to the right wing core of PP, such as taxes), while the sections of Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina once more show a defiant stance in aligning themselves more often with the opposition.