In 2023, Brazil’s Federal Constitution turned 35, sparking reflections on what is still required to meet the demands of an evolving society and move closer toward social justice. The Federal Constitution has undergone numerous changes since it was first promulgated in 1988 – as of the end of 2023, there were over 1,200 Constitutional Amendment Bills in Congress.

With 132 Constitutional Amendments enacted, a total of 1,989 constitutional provisions have been amended so far. Administrative law, labor law, and election laws have emerged among the main subjects of recent changes, while the country’s public administration is the central topic within the list of PECs currently being debated.

The 35th anniversary of the 1988 Federal Constitution invited a celebration of Brazil’s constitutional democracy and its fundamental principles. These included the importance of human rights, advocacy for peace and the peaceful resolution of conflicts, together with vital fundamental rights to life, liberty, equality, security, and property.

It also served as a moment to reflect on the role certain individuals have played in shaping Brazilian democracy. During the period of the constituent assembly responsible for drawing up the Federal Constitution, Mattos Filho’s founding partners Ary Oswaldo Mattos Filho, Pedro Marrey Jr., and Roberto Quiroga all contributed to debates that ultimately influenced the constitutional text.