First Lady Rosângela Lula da Silva, popularily known as Janja, is set to participate in a samba school parade in Rio de Janeiro on Carnival Sunday, January 15th. The samba school, Acadêmicos de Niterói, will pay tribute to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and he will attend the event at the sambódromo to witness the festivities. Janja’s involvement sparks significant contention from opposition figures who argue that this celebration serves as an improper promotion of public officials, especially given the financial backing that samba schools receive from the federal government.

Opposition leaders have expressed concerns over the legitimacy of the tribute, claiming it represents a clear misapplication of resources meant for cultural events, instead directing attention to political figures. They also raise alarms about potential premature electoral campaigning linked to the government's visibility and public appearances during such events. As Samba schools in Rio attract substantial federal sponsorship, the decision to honor the President through such a popular cultural event intensifies accusations of impropriety and misuse of public funds.

Legal advisors within the government have assessed the situation and concluded that Janja's participation does not violate any laws, emphasizing that she is not a formal officeholder nor does she occupy any public position that would typically impose restrictions on such public appearances. This viewpoint has been corroborated by discussions among governmental officials who were approached for clarification on the matter. Without a formal consultation regarding her participation, the administration appears poised to proceed without hindrance, indicating an intention to leverage cultural festivities as platforms for political expression without legal repercussions.