Multipartistarism and “arenization” of the PMDB in Paraná (1979-1985)

Abstract

This article addresses the last Brazilian political transition, especially the period of so-called opening, with the aim of understanding the implications of the return of multi-party system for political relations in the state of Paraná. It is intended to reflect, on a state scale, how conciliatory practices, taken as an element of Brazilian political culture, were operationalized within the scope of party structures. In this way, it is intended to demonstrate that the new political-party arrangements enabled a process of “arenization” of the opposition. The focus, therefore, falls on the political scenario of Paraná and covers the years 1979 to 1985. The approach proposed here is based on publications from the newspapers Folha de Londrina, Correio de Notícias and Diário do Paraná. In addition to the press, we also analyzed reports produced by agents of the National Information Service (SNI) and speeches given by state deputies and published in the annals of the Legislative Assembly of the State of Paraná (ALEP). The analyzes point out how the transition presented regional limits that contributed to the political design of the period, considering a logic thought at the federal level.