Temer defends Niterói parade: ‘Political satire is part of the tradition’

The former president Michel Temer minimized the controversy surrounding the Acadêmicos de Niterói paradewhich paid homage to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT).

“A Political satire is part of the carnival tradition. And as a defender of freedom of expression and artistic freedom, I do not judge the choices made as a theme on the avenue”, said Temer, in a statement. The parade has been the target of oppositionwhich accuses the samba school of carrying out advance propaganda for the current president.

The Novo Party announced that it will sue the Electoral Court to request the president’s ineligibility. Senator Flávio Bolsonaro (PL-RJ), Lula’s main opponent in the presidential race, also criticized the PT member and said that he uses public money “to campaign in advance for himself”.

Temer is pictured at the front of the parade taking off Dilma Rousseff’s presidential sash. Then Dilma’s vice-president, the former president is accused by the PT of having masterminded a “coup” against his running mate.

“As samba is the space for creativity and fantasy, it makes no sense to demand historical rigor in a plot or to question the exchange of social criticism for flattery in Sapucaí,” wrote Temer. The former president also titled the note released to journalists with the phrase “Saudades da Tuiuti”, in reference to the 2018 Paraíso do Tuiuti school parade, which portrayed the then President of the Republic as a vampire and harshly criticized the labor reform.

Despite the mild tone in relation to samba schools, Temer was critical of the Lula government: “The problem is when they adopt illusionism on the Esplanada, promoting fiscal irresponsibility, high interest rates and growing public debt — and denying achievements, such as labor, secondary education and pension reforms. It is sad to see the bridge to the future being exchanged for a return to the past.”, he wrote.

Plot in honor of Lula

Debuting in the Special Group, Acadêmicos de Niterói took to Avenida the plot “From the top of the mulungu comes hope: Lula, the worker of Brazil”, which portrayed the president’s childhood in Pernambuco and his journey to the Planalto. The school was founded four years ago.

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva arrived in Marquês de Sapucaí shortly after 8:20 pm this Sunday (15) to watch the parade of the Acadêmicos de Niterói samba school, with a plot in his honor. The PT member follows the parade in the box at Rio de Janeiro City Hall, alongside the mayor of Rio, Eduardo Paes (PSD), government ministers and authorities.

Under alert of possible accusations of irregular electoral propaganda, the Palácio do Planalto vetoed the participation of ministers in the parade in honor of Lula, as well as the use of public funds to attend the party in Sapucaí. Only the first lady, Janja da Silva, was allowed to participate, as she did not hold a public position.

They were with Lula in the city hall box:

• Anielle Franco (Racial Equality);
  Alexandre Padilha (Health);
• Alexandre Silveira (Mines and Energy);
• Camilo Santana (Education);
• Esther Dweck (Management and Innovation);
• Frederico Siqueira (Communications);
• Gleisi Hoffmann (Institutional Relations);
• Macaé Evaristo (Human Rights);
• Márcia Lopes (Women);
• president of Petrobras, Magda Chambriard;
• president of the National Development Bank (BNDES), Aloizio Mercadante;
• vice-president Geraldo Alckmin (PSB);
• federal deputy Lindbergh Farias (PT-RJ);
• federal deputy Pedro Uczai (PT-SC);
• federal deputy Pastor Henrique Vieira (Psol-RJ);
• federal deputy Talíria Petrone (PSol-RJ);
• federal deputy Tarcísio Motta (PSol-RJ);
• executive secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Márcio Tavares;
• José Dirceu, former minister;
• Lu Alckmin, second lady;