The Liberal Party (PL) has requested the Superior Electoral Court (TSE) to produce anticipatory evidence to investigate the parade by the Acadêmicos de Niterói samba school, which honored President Lula during carnival in Rio de Janeiro. The party claims the performance was a piece of political marketing and seeks elements for an action on abuse of power. The federal government took steps to avoid electoral challenges.
The PL, led by Valdemar Costa Neto, approached the TSE claiming that the Acadêmicos de Niterói parade at Marquês de Sapucaí was an "apotheotic piece of political-biographical marketing". The petition highlights elements such as campaign jingles, references to the number 13, and critical depictions of opponents, including former President Jair Bolsonaro portrayed as the clown Bozo.
The party's lawyers argue that the school acted as an "arm of the Executive Power" and point to indications of using administrative machinery to secure sponsorships from businesspeople with interests in the federal government. The request aims to examine the school's financial flow, alleged interference from the Planalto Palace in the plot, and the preservation of contracts, accounting records, and communications. It also seeks access to the agendas of President Lula, First Lady Janja Lula da Silva, and ministers, as well as the guest list for boxes managed by the Presidency's protocol office.
The action mentions visits by Janja and Minister Anielle Franco to the school's rehearsal hall, along with changes to parade sections after discussions with government members. Senator Flávio Bolsonaro (PL-RJ), a presidential pre-candidate, previewed the offensive on social media, criticizing "PT crimes at Sapucaí". The Novo Party announced it will seek Lula's ineligibility over the parade.
From the government side, precautions were taken: no ministers paraded, and Janja waived participation on the avenue. The school received R$1 million via Embratur, but the Union Court of Accounts (TCU) recommended vetoing the payment and was approached over alleged use of Planalto structure for an allegorical float.
The week before, the TSE rejected actions to block the parade, with rapporteur Minister Estela Aranha warning against prior censorship but allowing post-event investigations. The TSE president, Minister Cármen Lúcia, described the scenario as "quicksand".
