The parade of the Acadêmicos de Niterói samba school, honoring President Lula at the 2026 Rio Carnival, sparked controversy with a satirical segment on 'neoconservatives in conserva,' targeting opponents including evangelicals. Religious leaders were divided in their reactions, while the Planalto detected negative repercussion on social media. The school was relegated from the Special Group on Wednesday (18).
The Acadêmicos de Niterói samba school debuted in the Rio de Janeiro Special Group at the 2026 Carnival with the theme 'From the top of the mulungu emerges hope: Lula, the worker of Brazil,' honoring President Lula (PT). On Sunday (15), during the parade at Marquês de Sapucaí, a segment called 'neoconservatives in conserva' satirized government opponents, such as agribusiness representatives, military dictatorship defenders, and evangelicals, depicting traditional families inside cans. The school justified the satire as criticism of those voting against Lula's agendas, like privatizations and the end of the 6x1 work scale.
The repercussion divided evangelical leaders. Pastor Pedro Barreto of the Igreja Comunidade Batista do Rio said he felt 'profoundly happy' to be labeled conservative, stating that 'the Bible says we must be different.' Pastor Oliver Costa Goiano of the Evangélicos do PT considered the satire excessive but said it does not influence evangelical votes, as 'most do not follow Carnival.' Pastor Alexandre Gonçalves saw a 'very bad' repercussion, especially in an election year, and criticized Lula's support.
Conservative politicians reacted on social media. Senator Flávio Bolsonaro (PL-RJ) posted a meme of his family in a can. The Evangelical Parliamentary Front issued a repudiation note to the 'disrespectful conduct,' and its president, Deputy Gilberto Nascimento (PSD-SP), announced action at the PGR for 'offense funded with public money.' The school received R$ 1 million from Embratur. The Catholic Parliamentary Front also demanded measures.
The Planalto was alarmed by the negative repercussion, but allies downplayed it, noting the government did not participate in the theme and that Lula sanctioned the religious freedom law. The Rio Archdiocese contested the offensive use of family and Christian faith symbols. After judging on February 18, the school was relegated. The Bolsonaro family mocked the relegation, with Michelle posting 'Rebaixados em conserva' and Flávio predicting PT's defeat.
The Federal Senate posted about religious intolerance, citing the Penal Code, amid the debate.
