The name centrão emerged in the 1980s during the Constituent Assembly debates, during the Sarney government. Since then it has been used to designate a group of parliamentarians who may or may not be centrist, in the classic political sense.
The main characteristic of these politicians is that they do not have a clear political-ideological profile, although they tend towards conservatism. This lack of consistency leaves them ready to align themselves with any government in exchange for advantages and power.
Check out the timeline of the center in Brazil:
1987
Center-right members of PFL (today DEM), PMDB (today MDB), PDS (extinct), PTB and PL, among others, unite in support of the government of José Sarney (PMDB)
1988
The group is at its peak, being responsible for barring points such as parliamentarism from the Constitution and approving a five-year term for Sarney
1989
With the erosion of Sarney’s popularity and the election of Fernando Collor (PRN), the group dissolves
2004
PTB, PP and PL acted in support of the Lula government (2003-2010), of the PT, most of them had also allied themselves with the predecessor, FHC (1995-2002), of the PSDB
2005
The Mensalão scandal breaks out, with the pivots being, in particular, the PT and three parties associated with the centrão (PTB, PP and PL)
2014
The new center appears, under the command of the then leader of the MDB, deputy Eduardo Cunha (RJ). The main parties, in addition to the MDB, are PP, PR (current PL) and PTB
2016
Under Cunha’s command in the Chamber, Congress approves the impeachment of Dilma Rousseff (PT). Rodrigo Maia (DEM-RJ) becomes president of the Chamber, defeating the centrão candidate, Rogério Rosso (PSD-DF)
2017
With the support of the opposition, Maia defeats another leader from the center, Jovair Arantes (PTB-GO), and is re-elected. Supported by the bloc, Michel Temer (MDB) twice escapes being removed from the Presidency in the JBS scandal
2019
Uniting the center around himself, Maia manages to be re-elected for the third consecutive term in charge of the Chamber
2021
In a campaign marked by promises of amendments and the offer of government positions in exchange for votes, deputy Arthur Lira (PP-AL), 51, leader of the centrão, was elected president of the Chamber
2022
Centrão grows. Together, the Liberal Party, Progressives and Republicans make up about a third of the Chamber
2025
Centrão wins clash with Lula (PT) government and commission approves payment of 65% of parliamentary amendments before the election
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