Brazil's Lula gets image boost at Rio Carnival but faces legal scrutiny

A top samba school staged a parade honouring President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva at Rio's Sambadrome during Carnival, drawing praise and complaints that the tribute may have crossed into early campaigning.

A top samba school staged a glitzy parade at Rio's Sambadrome that honoured President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva during Carnival. The Academicos de Niterói parade traced Lula's rise from northeastern poverty to national prominence and featured floats, songs and costumes celebrating him. Lula, first lady Rosângela da Silva, Vice President Geraldo Alckmin and Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes attended the event. Opponents filed complaints saying the tribute amounted to early campaigning, and legal analysts and judges have raised questions about possible electoral law violations. Key details: - Academicos de Niterói centred its 80-minute parade on Lula's life and message, and reported instructing participants not to make "L" hand gestures or urge spectators to vote. - Lula, his wife and top officials watched the parade from the city hall box; the president also moved onto the Sambadrome floor and received applause and cheers. - Some right-leaning politicians filed complaints arguing the tribute gave Lula an unfair early campaign advantage and noted samba schools receive public funding. - Brazil's top electoral court rejected requests to stop the parade beforehand, saying it cannot pre-censor a samba school but could review any violations after the fact. - Legal analysts said attendance by the president or use of public resources could trigger fines or loss of campaign free-air time if rules are breached. - The article notes Lula's nearest rival is Senator Flávio Bolsonaro and that polls indicate a competitive race ahead of the October election. Summary: The parade gave Lula a prominent, public moment during Carnival while prompting pending legal questions about whether the tribute crossed into early campaigning. The electoral court declined to block the show in advance but said it may review any actions that violate electoral law, and its leadership will change before the October vote.