The Acadêmicos de Niterói samba school, which honored Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, has been relegated from the Special Group of the Rio de Janeiro Carnival. The school, making its debut in the elite category this year, finished last in the rankings, receiving only two scores of 10 during the judging process. This relegation has not only drawn attention locally but has also become a topic of discussion in international media.

The British news outlet BBC highlighted the political controversy surrounding Acadêmicos de Niterói, noting that their carnival performance included a 'political element' this year. Critics from the opposition have accused the samba school of engaging in an early campaign for the upcoming elections in October, where Lula is expected to run for a fourth term. The BBC's coverage reflects how closely tied political elements are to cultural events in Brazil.

Additionally, the article mentioned that there were legal actions aimed at preventing the samba school's performance, indicating a broader political and cultural contention surrounding the event. This situation underscores the intersecting nature of politics and culture in Brazil, particularly in events as significant as the Carnival, where artistic expression often reflects the country's current socio-political climate.