Pedro Ernesto

Pedro Ernesto do Rego Baptista (1884 to 1942) was a Brazilian medical surgeon who went on to become mayor of Rio de Janeiro. He held office in two terms, from 30 September 1931 to 2 October 1934 and again from 7 April 1935 to 4 April 1936. He is remembered as the first populist Brazilian politician, and his election owed something to the backing of President Getúlio Vargas. In office he carried out social and populist reforms in health care, education and indigenous culture, and he is credited with reviving the samba. He became the most popular politician in Brazil and was considered a possible candidate in the presidential elections planned for 1938. In 1936 he was charged with taking part in a communist conspiracy against the government and was arrested; he spent the following years defending himself against charges of treason and was eventually absolved. The Municipal Chamber of Rio de Janeiro later named its highest commendation, the Pedro Ernesto Medal, after him.