Antônio Carlos Magalhães

Antônio Carlos Peixoto de Magalhães (4 September 1927 – 20 July 2007), also known by his initials ACM, was a Brazilian politician. He served as Governor of Bahia three times and represented Bahia in the Senate of Brazil three times.[1] Magalhães was one of Brazil's most powerful politicians serving as a Minister for Communications, as Leader of the Liberal Front Party (PFL) and as President of the Federal Senate.[2]

Antônio Carlos Magalhães
Senator for Bahia
In office
1 February 2003 – 20 July 2007
Preceded byAntônio Carlos Magalhães Júnior
Succeeded byAntônio Carlos Magalhães Júnior
In office
1 February 1995 – 30 May 2001
Preceded byRuy Bacelar
Succeeded byAntônio Carlos Magalhães Júnior
President of the Federal Senate
In office
4 February 1997 – 14 February 2001
Preceded byJosé Sarney
Succeeded byJader Barbalho
Governor of Bahia
In office
15 March 1991 – 12 April 1994
Vice GovernorPaulo Souto
Preceded byNilo Moraes Coelho
Succeeded byRuy Trindade
In office
15 March 1979 – 15 March 1983
Vice GovernorLuís Viana Neto
Preceded byRoberto Santos
Succeeded byJoão Durval Carneiro
In office
15 March 1971 – 15 March 1975
Vice GovernorMenandro Minahim
Preceded byLuís Viana Filho
Succeeded byRoberto Santos
Minister of Communications
In office
15 March 1985 – 15 March 1990
PresidentJosé Sarney
Preceded byHaroldo Corrêa de Mattos
Succeeded byOzires Silva
President of Eletrobras
In office
7 November 1975 – 30 May 1978
Nominated byErnesto Geisel
Preceded byMario Penna Bhering
Succeeded byArnaldo Rodrigues Barbalho
Federal Deputy for Bahia
In office
6 April 1970 – 1 February 1971
ConstituencyAt-large
In office
2 February 1959 – 10 February 1967
ConstituencyAt-large
Mayor of Salvador
In office
10 February 1967 – 6 April 1970
Preceded byJulival Rebouças
Succeeded byClériston Andrade
State Deputy of Bahia
In office
7 April 1955 – 2 February 1959
ConstituencyAt-large
Personal details
Born
Antônio Carlos Peixoto de Magalhães

(1927-09-04)4 September 1927
Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
Died20 July 2007(2007-07-20) (aged 79)
São Paulo, Brazil
Political party
Spouse
Arlette Maron
​
(m. 1952)​
ChildrenLuís Eduardo
ACM Júnior
Tereza Helena
Parents
  • Francisco Peixoto de Magalhães Neto (father)
  • Helena Celestino de Magalhães (mother)
RelativesAntônio Carlos Magalhães Neto (grandson)
Alma materFederal University of Bahia
Profession
Signature

Early life and career

Magalhães was born in 1927 in Salvador, Bahia. His paternal grandparents were Portuguese.[3] Magalhães went to medical school.

His political career started at the age of 27 when he entered the Bahia state legislature. He was soon elected to the federal Chamber of Deputies, where he served three terms.[1] At first he was a protégé of Juscelino Kubitschek, who was then the President of Brazil.[2]

Political power broker

Magalhães supported the military coup that overthrew President João Goulart. He was appointed Mayor of Salvador and then as the Governor of Bahia twice. He also served as the head of the government's electricity agency, which enabled him to dispense patronage nationally.[2] Magalhães was also known for his harsh treatment of opponents of the regime and for his ability to make deals. This led to some of his opponents dubbing him "Toninho Malvadeza" (Little Tony Evilness).[4]

In 1985, he switched allegiance to Tancredo Neves and helped José Sarney form the Liberal Front Party. Magalhães became the Minister for Communications in Sarney's Government allowing him to grant radio and television licenses to friends and supporters. When accused of corruption, he once said "I have good and bad friends, but I only govern with the good ones."[2]

In 1991, he was elected as Governor of Bahia for the third time before being elected to the Senate in 1994. He became the President of the Senate in 1997.[4] Magalhães also became the leader of the Liberal Front Party with the Social Democrat President of Brazil Fernando Henrique Cardoso relying on his support to pass legislation. This enabled Magalhães to have supporters placed in influential positions in the Government.

Magalhães was forced to resign from the Senate in 2001 after being accused of looking at how fellow Senators voted on an impeachment issue. He was re-elected in 2002 and when in 2003 Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of the left wing Workers' Party was elected president, Magalhães claimed that he came from "the Workers’ Party wing of the Liberal Front Party" and was successful in having supporters appointed in Lula da Silva's administration. In January 2003, then Senator-elect Magalhães (PFL-BA) shook hands with Fidel Castro as Castro was leaving a luncheon given in Brasília in Castro's honor.[5] Later, on Castro's way to and from state visits to Africa, Castro would stop in Salvador da Bahia and spend a couple of days sharing stories with Magalhães.[2] Through this, right-winged Magalhães and communist Fidel Castro developed a friendship to the dismay of Castro's left-wing admirers in Brazil.[2]

He played an influential role in Brazilian politics until his death in 2007 from multiple organ failure.[4]

See also

References
  1. AP via the Guardian, "Ex-Brazil Politician Magalhaes, 79, Dies" July 20, 2007
  2. New York Times, "Antonio Carlos Magalhães, Brazil Politician, Dies at 79" July 21 2007
  3. "Veja on-line". Archived from the original on 28 September 2007. Retrieved 16 August 2007.
  4. AP via the Los Angeles Times, "Antonio Carlos Peixoto de Magalhaes, 79; influential politician in Brazil" 21 July 2007
  5. World News Connection. (3 January 2003) Brazil to Strengthen Ties With Cuba in Social Area.
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