The Planalto Palace has identified that criticism from evangelicals and other religious sectors about a Carnival parade honoring President Lula has been widely disseminated on social media, raising alarms among some of his government allies. Following the parade, surveys indicated that the immediate online reaction to the event was negative for the president, prompting discussions among officials regarding the potential political implications of this backlash.

For years, Lula has been trying to forge a closer relationship with evangelicals, a demographic predominantly aligned with the former president Jair Bolsonaro. This year, securing the support of these religious groups has become a key goal for Lula's government, positioning it as crucial for his electoral advantage. However, reactions within Lula's administration are mixed, with some aides expressing concern over the possible political exploitation of symbols related to family showcased during the parade, while others downplay the incident, citing that attempts to undermine the president's image within the evangelical community are not new.

In the face of this criticism, Lula’s allies continue to strategize on how to better position the president with evangelicals. They are aware that the success of his government and the push towards reelection are contingent on winning over these groups, which traditionally support right-leaning politics. The political landscape remains charged, and how the president’s team responds will be crucial in determining future relations with evangelical voters, especially in light of the strong online backlash this parade has incurred.