Brazil, Mexico, and Cuba: Government

Federal, Presidential & Unitary

Brazil

Federal Government: Power is divided between central government, state government & local governments.

Presidential Democracy: Citizens elect the President. Citizens also elect members of Congress. Congress is bicameral: Federal Senate & Chamber of Deputies

Voting: Citizens may vote at 16-17. Compulsory voting from ages 18-70.

President Dilma Rousseff

National Congress in Brazil

Brasilia, Capital of Brazil

Mexico

Federal Government: Power is divided between the central (national), state and local governments.

Presidential Democracy: Citizens elect President who serves one 6-year term.

Citizens also elect a bicameral Congress: Senate & Chamber of Deputies

Citizens must be 18 years & older to vote.

President Felipe Calderon

Mexico City, Capital of Mexico

Cuba

Communist State: Power is in one strong central government with a President as both the head of state and head of government.

This is known as a unitary form of government. The central, strong government does NOT share power with the states or local government.

Citizens elect members of a unicameral legislature and the President.

Citizens in Cuba

The Communist Party is the only legally-recognized political party in Cuba.

Candidates endorsed or supported by the Communist Party run unopposed for office.

Citizens over the age of 16 may vote, but there are very few choices.

There is no Independence Day; there is a national holiday on January 1, “Triumph of the Revolution”.

The Castro Brothers

Fidel Castro Raul Castro

Havana, Capital of Cuba