Rio de Janeiro Carnival: Parade Honoring President Lula Divides Brazil

This year's Rio de Janeiro Carnival, traditionally associated with fun and spectacular displays, has become the arena for a sharp political conflict. It all stems from the samba school Academicos de Niteroi, which chose the biography of the incumbent president as the main theme of its performance. The spectacle titled “From the Peak of Mulungu Springs Hope: Lula, Brazil's Worker” depicted the journey of Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva from a poor boy in the country's northeast, through work as a metalworker and union leader, to the highest office in the state. The central point of the parade was a colossal metal robot representing the president, which towered over the famous Sambadrome avenue. Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, co-founder of the Workers' Party, served as president from 2003–2010, and after a break and controversial court trials, returned to power in 2023, defeating Jair Bolsonaro.The reaction from opposition circles was immediate and decisive. Right-wing groups filed a series of lawsuits, arguing that such a spectacular commemoration of an active politician seven months before the elections constitutes illegal election advertising. According to critics, the scale of the undertaking and its emotional impact violate the principle of equal opportunity in the democratic process. The president himself, as reported by sources close to the presidential palace, was deeply moved by the artists' initiative, but officially the Workers' Party distances itself from allegations of financing the show. This debate casts a shadow over the campaign's progress, suggesting that the upcoming battle for the presidential seat will be exceptionally polarized. „This is not politics; it is the story of a man who became a symbol of hope for millions of Brazilians living in poverty.” — Academicos de NiteroiLegal experts emphasize that the line between artistic expression freedom during Carnival and political agitation is very thin in Brazil. Presidential elections arouse immense emotions, and any form of public exposure of a candidate is strictly analyzed by the Superior Electoral Court. The incident in Rio de Janeiro shows that even the oldest cultural traditions are not free from the influence of the current power struggle.