The Brazilian political party Novo has filed a complaint with the Federal Court of Auditors (TCU), claiming that the structure of the Presidency of the Republic was improperly used to organize a carnival float named 'Amigos do Lula.' Scheduled to honor President Lula during Rio de Janeiro's Carnival parade on Sunday, this incident has prompted concerns regarding the legality of using government resources for personal and festive activities. The party specifically points to the involvement of First Lady Rosângela Lula da Silva, known as Janja, who is accused of coordinating the event while using her office in the presidential palace.

Novo emphasizes that human and material resources belonging to the federal government were utilized for the preparation of this event, which they argue constitutes an inappropriate use of public machinery. This is not the first time that the Novo party has raised questions about President Lula's participation in the carnival parade, alleging that such engagements divert from the expected official duties of a sitting president. They also cite a normative guideline issued by the Attorney General's Office (AGU) in 2025 that outlines restrictions on the use of government resources for personal purposes.

The implications of this complaint highlight ongoing tensions in Brazilian politics, particularly surrounding the accountability of public officials and the appropriate use of government resources. As Carnival holds significant cultural importance in Brazil, the convergence of state and festive activities raises pertinent questions about what is deemed acceptable in terms of governmental conduct, especially when a sitting president is involved. This incident could add to the scrutiny of Lula's administration, further complicating its political standing amidst an already polarized electorate.