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During his forced retirement, as the military regime (imposed in a large part thank to crisis he provoced back in 1961) did not allowed him to participate in politics, Janio Quadros was rather a pathetic figure.

This alcoholic, demagogue and cabotine, elected as President in 1961 in landslide against colorless opponent, hand-picked by the outgoing Juscelino Kubitschek, initiated a series of major reforms and initiatives, including establishing relations with the Eastern Bloc, taking a neutral course in foreign policy, creating Indian reservates and first ecologic parks, starting numerous anti-corruption investigations and planning of the futher development in order to transform Brazil into a trurly independent power.


Janio Quadros during his better days.​

On the other side, he became notorious due to his own erratic behavior as well as moves such as banning bikinis and gambling.

After just half of a year in office, with dimising support in Congress, Quadros suddenly resigned from office in a sophisticated manevuor. He hoped that the resignation would be immedially rejected by the acclamation of Brazilian people or the Congress along with military out of fear that his leftist Vice President Joao Goulart would take over. He, naturally, hoped that after rejection he’d return with bigger power.

Well, he was wrong and his resignation was quickly accepted. However “self-coup” attempt turned out to be a start of the worse political crisis in Brazil history, culminating first with attempts to curb legal President Goulart, and then with a military coup, which would impose Generals rule for decades.


Janio Quadros in his recent, less good, days.​

With a first signs of democratization, bitter and broken Quadros decided to run for Governor of Sao Paulo, a job he once held, in 1983, just to suffer a defeat.

However, still uknowingly to the most, one important development presented former President a chance to make a comeback in a great style.

More to come.
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