Rio Grande do Norte candidates face legal challenge over ‘Lula’ names

The Ministério Público Eleitoral (MPE) has issued legal opinions opposing several candidates in Rio Grande do Norte from using names on electronic ballots that imply a family connection to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

Specifically, the MPE requested that Carlos Eduardo Xavier, running for Governor, be prohibited from using the name ‘Cadu de Lula’, and that Samanda Alves, a Senate candidate, be barred from using ‘Samanda de Lula’. The prosecution argues these names could mislead voters and create an unfair advantage by suggesting a non-existent kinship with the President. The MPE noted that neither candidate possesses the surname ‘Lula’ in their civil registry.

In response to the legal challenge, Governor Fátima Bezerra expressed confidence that the Electoral Court will allow the names, noting that Cadu Xavier has already used the moniker politically for approximately a year. Meanwhile, President Lula has held meetings in Brasília with both Cadu and Samanda to record campaign materials, reinforcing their political alignment with his administration.