Collor de Mello, Fernando

Collor de Mello, Fernando (furnäNdOO kôlôr' du mel'OO) [key], 1949–, president of Brazil (1990–92). In 1990, he became the youngest president of Brazil following the first public election in 29 years. He was mayor of Maceió (1979–81) and federal deputy (1982–85) and governor (1986–89) of the impoverished state of Alagôas in northeastern Brazil. In each case, he represented the right-wing Social Democratic party. His first years as president were dominated by radical—though unsuccessful—attempts to reduce inflation. In Oct., 1992, the lower house of congress voted overwhelmingly to suspend him after finding evidence of massive personal corruption. The case was sent to the senate for impeachment proceedings, during which he resigned (Dec. 29, 1992). He was succeeded by his vice president, Itamar Franco. Following censure by the senate, he was barred from holding office until 2001. In Dec., 1994, the Brazilian supreme court acquitted him of the corruption charges, but he remained barred from public office. Collor de Mello was elected to the Brazilian senate in 2006.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

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