New interview with the Head of the Imperial House of Brazil
On September 7, the newspaper
Gazeta do Povo, from Curitiba, published an interview with
His Imperial and Royal Highness Prince Luiz, Head of the Imperial House of Brazil, wrote by Yuri Al'Hanati.
“Foi uma emancipação dentro da mesma família” - Vida Pública - Gazeta do Povo
The Prince, 75, talked about the Independence of Brazil and the possibility of a Restoration of the Monarchy.
"'It was a liberation within a family'
Luiz Gastão de Orleans e Bragança, Heir to the Brazilian Throne.
The Independence of Brazil, on September 7, 1822, it was a logical outcome of an extensive negotiation, of economical origins. The Cry of Ipiranga, and emblematic and symbolic scene of the Brazilian History, was the alternative found by Dom Pedro I to stay in power in view of the insurgent movement by brazilian traders who, suddenly, found themselves on the verge of seeing the ports closed for exclusive negotiations with the metropolis. "It was not a bloody rupture, but an emancipation within a family, with all the good effects that it can bring to a new nation", says the Head of the Imperial House, Dom Luiz Gastão Maria José Pio Miguel Gabriel Rafael Gonzaga de Orleans e Bragança e Wittelsbach.
He's a great-great-grandson of Dom Pedro II, and the current heir to the Brazilian throne if the monarchy was established in todays Brazil.
In this exclusive interview, given by e-mail to
Gazeta do Povo, D. Luiz talks about his views on the independence, the monarchy and the role of its heirs in a democratic republic. In the opinion of Luiz de Orleans e Bragança, Monarchy is the system which best ensures the three basic conditions for the existence and development of a nation: unity, stability and continuity. ""My role - as all non-reigning Heads of Houses - is to preserve the rich legacy of our Imperial past, passing it from generation to generation, so that it remains alive and known among Brazilians."
[Gazeta do Povo] Brazil was the only country in the Americas which did not became a Republic, when it became independent.Why it happened and why it was important for the country at the time?
[Dom Luiz] This diversity of paths, was largely determined by the previous courses taken by the Portuguese and Spanish Colonies. The despicable attitude from [the spanish] King Fernando VII in view of Napoleon instigated led to the break with Spain and the adoption of the Republican form of government. Unlike his Spanish brother-in-law, the Prince Regent of Portugal, the future D. João VI, was not submitted to the dictator, transferring the Court and the royal government to Brazil, and starting here a vigorous transformation of public institutions. D. João VI was very fond of our country, had become well liked and wanted to stay here, but the Portuguese Cortes imposed his return to Portugal. So he advised his eldest son, D. Pedro, who was left here as Regent, to take the Crown. The Independece of Brazil was not a bloody rupture, but an emancipation within a family, with all the good effects that it can bring to a new nation.
[G.P.] Why the monarchy would be the best system for Brazil?
[D.L.] The Monarchy is the system which corresponds best to the good order placed by God in Creation, ensuring the three basic conditions for the existence and development of a nation: unity, stability and continuity. Monarchy largely prevailed throughout the history of civilized peoples. Year after year, the first places in the rates of income per capita and HDI are occupied by Monarchies. During the Second Reign, Brazil was one of the most respected in the world, with strong institutions, moeada stable, accelerated growth and prestige of the Emperor D. Pedro II, who became arbiter of disputes between European Great Powers.
[G.P.] Nowaday, what's your role, as Head of the Imperial House and Heir to the Throne?
[D.L.] My role - as all non-reigning Heads of Houses - is to preserve the rich legacy of our Imperial past, passing it from generation to generation, so that it remains alive and known among Brazilians, feeding, mereover, the appetite among us for the return of the Monarchy. The preparation of the new generation of Brazilian Princes and Princesses, my nephew and nieces, is thus a constant care.
[G.P.] Who are the Monarchists of today?
[D.L.] In the 1993 plebiscite on the system and form of government, although we had against us the propaganda machine of the government, 13% of the votes were for the Monarchy. Today there is not a single Brazilian who, in good conscience, say that Republic worked. And there are a growing number of Brazilians who see the Restoration of the Monarchical System, which was so successful in the past as being a great alternative to the moral crisis which is plaguing the country.
[G.P.] What are the characteristics of a good Sovereign?
[D.L.] The main characteristic of a good Sovereign is knowing embody the virtues of his people, mirrorig and favoring them at the same time. Like a good father, the Sovereign must encourage the qualities of his children, supporting them in their weaknesses and to restrain their mistakes. He must respect the autonomy of individuals and social groups, and at the same time be an unimpeachable standard of morality.
[G.P.] By what means Monarchy could be restored in Brazil? Do you think this process can happen soon?
[D.L.] A true Monarchy can not be implemented by coup de force of a group, but should come organically by aspiration of the entire nation. Aspirations of these occur in the lives of people in different circumstances, most often by the irremediable failure of a previous situation. In todays, there is a deep discontent, patented here in recent and surprising street demonstrations, a great yearning for something different, something better, something that already existed and we lose ... When this longing become a majority, the Monarchy - great political expression of Christian civilization - may be restored in Brazil, in a stably and beneficent way. When this will happen, only God our Lord knows, but, I believe, much earlier than might appear at first glance.