- Title: Carnival tribute to Brazil's Lula in Rio sparks political backlash
- Date: 16th February 2026
- Summary: RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL (FEBRUARY 10, 2026) (REUTERS) ACADEMICOS DE NITEROI SAMBA SCHOOL WORKER WELDING METAL FRAMES FOR COSTUME PRODUCTION CLOSE-UP OF SCISSORS CUTTING ADHESIVE TAPE FIGURE ON CARNIVAL FLOAT POSTER WITH IMAGE OF BRAZILIAN PRESIDENT LUIZ INACIO LULA DA SILVA READING (Portuguese): "FROM THE HEIGHT OF MULUGU COMES HOPE. LULA, THE WORKER OF BRAZIL" (SOUNDBITE)
- Embargoed:
- Keywords: ACADEMICOS DE NITEROI Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva carnival floats parade
- Location: RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL
- City: RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL
- Country: Brazil
- Topics: South America / Central America,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA001577016022026RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: When Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva learned that a samba school in Rio de Janeiro would base its carnival parade this year on his journey from factory worker to president, he broke into tears and then smiled for pictures holding the school's flag.
But, as Rio's world‑famous carnival parade approached, the tribute became a political headache.
Opposition parties and politicians have filed a flurry of lawsuits alleging that Lula is benefiting from what they describe as an illegal form of early campaigning ahead of this year's presidential election. The president hopes to be elected for his fourth nonconsecutive term in October.
Courts have already rejected all but one of the lawsuits, including one that asked judges to stop the parade from taking place. But more could be filed if critics believe politicians used the event, scheduled to happen on Sunday (February 15) night, to ask for votes, which would be illegal.
Still, Lula is planning to watch samba school Academicos de Niteroi sing and dance to his and his mother’s life stories on Sunday in Rio, his aides told Reuters, but he won't be speaking at any moment.
“It’s not campaigning,” said Tiago Martins, a carnival parade designer at Academicos de Niteroi. “It’s a plot that tells the life story of a warrior of a man, who despite all obstacles got to the presidency.”
The parade designed by Academicos de Niteroi describes the president’s childhood in the country’s impoverished Northeastern region and his mother’s journey to Sao Paulo with her children in search of a better life.
Lula's aides acknowledged the political sensitivity of the moment to Reuters. After the lawsuits multiplied, the president's team consulted legal advisers to clarify what restrictions apply during the pre‑campaign period.
Ministers attending the parade were instructed to remain seated in the audience, refrain from participating in the parade itself, avoid public funds for travel, and not make any election‑related gestures, statements, or live posts on social media. Lula will not speak publicly at the parade.
(Production: Janaina Quinet, Sergio Queiroz) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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