The Acadêmicos de Niterói carnival school, which honored President Lula during the Rio Carnival, has faced backlash after being relegated to a lower tier, reflecting a rift among his supporters. A more pragmatic faction within Lula's entourage expresses disappointment over the parade's narrative, which they feel was detrimental to relations with evangelical voters, calling the portrayal of Lula a 'self-inflicted wound.' Conversely, a more combative group dismisses these criticisms as alarmist and believes the parade's content, particularly the 'neoconservators in jars' theme, will not adversely affect Lula's re-election prospects. They argue that the right-wing opposition is merely employing its traditional tactics of leveraging religion to undermine the Workers' Party (PT).

The characterizations within the parade drew criticism from evangelicals and right-leaning politicians, who observed that the school's subsequent relegation mirrors the politically charged environment surrounding the event. The contrasting perspectives reveal a deeper ideological conflict among Lula's support base about how to navigate the complex terrain of Brazilian politics, especially concerning conservative values. While the parade aimed to celebrate diversity, its interpretation has inadvertently sparked significant debate among allies, raising questions about the effectiveness of such politically charged performances in the carnival context.

This incident highlights the challenges faced by political figures in maintaining a cohesive support base amid differing ideological views, particularly within the context of an upcoming election. The struggle between the pragmatic and combative factions illustrates the delicate balance Lula must strike as he gears up for re-election, navigating not only his relationship with the evangelical community but also with a broader spectrum of voters who have varying opinions on political representation in cultural expressions like carnival. Their internal debates reflect the ongoing tensions in Brazilian society regarding conservativism and progressivism, setting the stage for a contentious electoral landscape.