Novo Party Demands Electoral Court Notify Samba School Over Lula Tribute

The Brazilian Superior Electoral Court (TSE) is facing renewed pressure from the Novo party to formally notify the Acadêmicos de Niterói samba school. The school is accused of engaging in premature electoral propaganda by planning a 2026 Carnival parade that honors President Lula.

This demand comes nearly five months after the TSE's plenary session rejected the Novo party's requests to halt the parade and prevent Lula's attendance. The court's rapporteur, Minister Estela Aranha, argued that blocking artistic and cultural events due to potential political messages would constitute "prior, indirect censorship and disproportionate restriction of democratic debate."

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restricting artistic and cultural manifestations beforehand "for having news of political manifestations" would constitute "prior, indirect censorship and disproportionate restriction of democratic debate."

Despite the earlier rejection of provisional measures, the case proceeds. The TSE stated that the rapporteur has already ordered the necessary steps for notification. The court is preparing an official order to facilitate this process. Notification is a crucial early step, informing parties of the proceedings and allowing them to prepare their defenses.

The Novo party claims two previous postal attempts to notify Acadêmicos de Niterói failed. The first, sent in February to an address registered with the federal tax authority, was returned as "unknown recipient." A second attempt in March to the school's main venue was also returned, indicating the school had moved. The party now requests a court official to attempt notification at the previously used locations and at the school's float construction site in Rio de Janeiro. The samba school has not yet responded to requests for comment.

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In compliance with the decision, the court is preparing the Official Order to enable the notification.