Overview
- Top samba school Academicos de Niteroi honored President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva at the Sambadrome, the first tribute to a sitting president during an election year.
- Lula watched from a VIP box with first lady Rosangela 'Janja' da Silva, joined by Vice President Geraldo Alckmin and Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes, after organizers dropped plans for the first lady to appear on a float.
- The performance featured pro-Lula chants, a 'no amnesty' refrain, and a float evoking Jair Bolsonaro as a jailed clown, while critics also flagged lyrical references to the Workers' Party number 13.
- Opposition parties filed suits alleging illegal early campaigning and misuse of public funds; pre-parade injunctions were dismissed, and further challenges are expected after the show.
- Organizers and the Workers' Party called the homage a cultural celebration and instructed participants to avoid campaign gestures, as analysts warned that any confirmed violations could bring fines or cuts to free campaign airtime in a close race.