The president () ordered that ministers and assistants not participate in the event in his honor, this Sunday (15), at the Sambódromo do . Government members will have to cover travel and accommodation costs if they want to attend the performance of the Acadêmicos de Niterói samba school.
The order does not apply to the first lady, Rosângela Lula da Silva, who will be one of the highlights of the school’s last float, followed by the Friends of Lula wing. does not hold a government position.
Ministers will not be allowed to schedule official agendas that, artificially, coincide with that of Rio. The guidance was passed on to the government team this Thursday (12), even after the (Superior Electoral Court) rejected, in a unanimous decision, against the president, the PT and Academicos de Niterói.
The case’s rapporteur, Estela Aranha, who was appointed to the electoral court by Lula, rejected ordering the suspension on the grounds that restricting artistic and cultural manifestations previously “because there was news of political demonstrations” would constitute “prior, indirect censorship and disproportionate restriction on democratic debate”.
At the government’s suggestion, the PT should make the same recommendation to those holding elected positions. The participation of ministers was the subject of meetings at the Palácio do Planalto. The conclusion is that, although there is no legal impediment to the parade, there should be no room for future questions.
Therefore, only relatives and friends should form the wing, mostly formed by members of the group of lawyers Prerogativas. Group coordinator, Marco Aurélio Carvalho states that there is no electoral nature to the parade.
Remembering that Lula has 60 years of public life, being in the popular imagination, Marco Aurélio states that an attempt to criminalize the tribute to the president is inconceivable, which would constitute prior censorship of the samba school.
Regarding the allocation of R$ 12 million from Embratur (Brazilian Agency for the International Promotion of Tourism) to Liesa (Independent League of Samba Schools in Rio de Janeiro), he highlights that the money was divided between the schools in the Special Group, with R$ 1 million for each.
Pre-candidate for re-election, Lula will be honored by Acadêmicos de Niterói, newcomer to the Special Group of Rio de Janeiro. The plot “From the top of the mulungu comes hope: Lula, the worker of Brazil” exalts the president’s trajectory and features excerpts such as the battle cry “olê, olê, hello, Lula! Lula!”, the motto “love overcame fear” and reference to the PT’s number at the polls (“ironically, 13 nights, 13 days”).
The parade has excited the President of the Republic. He has already performed samba at dinners, including with deputies. The plot portrays the life of the president’s mother. Known as Dona Lindu, she is frequently mentioned by Lula in his speeches.
The president’s collaborators admit, with reservation, concern about the repercussions of the parade. In addition to the risk of the school’s relegation and booing along the way, they believe it is unnecessary wear and tear, without any political return.
Regarding the possibility of booing, Marco Aurélio says that the president himself often repeats that they are inherent to democracy. The lawyer also states that there will be applause on the avenue.
