Progressive Party of Brazil
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The Progressive Party of Brazil is Brazil's oldest party with a continuous history, though renamed several times.
It was founded in 1965 by the newly-inaugurated military regime, to gather the supporters of the government. The party was then called ARENA (Aliança Renovadora Nacional; 'National Renewing Alliance'), and so was until 1979, when the pro-democratic reforms changed it to PDS (Partido Democrático Social; 'Social Democratic Party'). In the first free elections since the militaries, in 1986, the Party was seriously defeated in the parliament and state governorships. Then it was renamed PP (Partido Progressista; 'Progressive Party') and soon later PPR (Partido Progressista Republicano; 'Republican Progressive Party') in 1991. Again the name was changed to PPB (Partido Progressista Brasileiro; 'Brazilian Progressive Party') and finally back to PP (Progressive Party) in 2003.
Its most expressive politicians are Paulo Maluf, mayor and governor of São Paulo for several terms; Esperidião Amin, former governor of Santa Catarina and senator; and Francisco Dornelles, former minister of Labor.