A top Rio samba school sparked political debate by honoring Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva with Carnival floats celebrating his life and presidency — a first for a sitting leader.

Designers insist the parade was not campaign material, but critics call it veiled electioneering ahead of October's vote.

A float resembling ex‑president Jair Bolsonaro as a jailed clown fueled objections, though Brazil's electoral court allowed the performance to proceed.