Lula and Bolsonaro Face Off on Policy in Final Debate Before Run-off, With Polls Showing Them Level
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and his right-wing rival Flavio Bolsonaro focused on policy proposals in the final debate before their presidential run-off. Polls indicate the two candidates are neck and neck before Sunday's voting.
The debate was held in Rio de Janeiro on Friday and broadcast on TV Globo. Two days before the election, the candidates questioned each other about Brazil's economy, infrastructure and regional development.
Lula challenged his rival's plan to take a 'chainsaw' to public spending, comparing the plan to the policies of Argentina's libertarian president, Javier Milei.
Bolsonaro responded that he would have the same job to do here as Milei in Argentina, because Lula is leaving the country bankrupt.
Bolsonaro accused the incumbent of allowing organised crime to expand, driving families into debt and not addressing the higher cost of living.
Lula, Brazil's first working-class president, said of Bolsonaro that he does not know what hunger is. Bolsonaro shot back, asking why things are so expensive.
Lula also questioned Senator Bolsonaro's experience, saying he does not know Brazil. His challenger, for his part, doubled down on presenting himself as a capable candidate who represents change for the country.
Friday's debate was notably more diplomatic than their initial face-off on Sunday, but it also saw its share of personal attacks and tense moments.
Bolsonaro called Lula 'Nine Fingers', a pejorative nickname used by many of his supporters that references an accident the Brazilian president suffered during his time as a metalworker. The 80-year-old leader demanded an apology, which Bolsonaro gave him.
Lula in response called Bolsonaro a vigilante, referring to allegations that his rival has ties to paramilitary groups in Rio de Janeiro. Bolsonaro said he would classify those groups as 'narcoterrorists'.
The third tense exchange was between Bolsonaro and the mother of a five-year-old who was killed in a shootout that involved a policeman who had the presidential candidate as his lawyer. Bolsonaro said he does not believe his client was guilty.
Bolsonaro finished first in the initial round of voting on October 4 with 47 percent of the vote to Lula's 45 percent. But a Datafolha institute survey published on Thursday suggested the pair are now tied with 50 percent support each, compared with Bolsonaro's four-point lead in polls published two weeks ago.
Both candidates are expected to join supporters in the streets of Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo in their last campaign effort before Sunday's run-off. The dead heat in the polls suggests the result will remain uncertain until the very end.
