Brazil’s presidential run-off debate descended into a bitter exchange on Sunday as President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and right-wing Senator Flavio Bolsonaro traded accusations of lying, corruption and incompetence ahead of a closely fought vote.
The candidates repeatedly called each other “liar” during their first televised encounter, while clashing over crime, healthcare, the cost of living and public spending. The second round of voting is due to take place on October 25.
Lula, 80, described his rival as “a habitual liar” and a “thug”, while appearing to move away from him on stage as he referred to the senator as a “militiaman” — an apparent reference to alleged links with paramilitary groups in Rio de Janeiro.
Bolsonaro, 45, responded that it was safer to keep Lula at a distance “because my wallet could be stolen”. He paced behind the president during much of the debate, shaking his head and scoffing as Lula spoke.
The senator led the first round on October 4 with 47% of the vote, against 45% for Lula. Polls suggest the run-off remains tight, with both candidates seeking to win over the 33 million voters who did not take part in the opening round.
Lula pressed Bolsonaro to explain a corruption investigation involving his father, former president Jair Bolsonaro. The senator avoided the question and instead called Lula a “clown” before raising a potential corruption case involving one of the president’s sons.
Jair Bolsonaro is under house arrest while serving a 27-year sentence connected to efforts to overturn the 2022 election, which he lost to Lula. Flavio Bolsonaro’s campaign has also been affected by a request from Brazil’s federal police for the Supreme Court to open an investigation into an alleged money-laundering accusation involving a lawyer close to him.
Cost of living and crime dominate debate
Bolsonaro focused on the issues most concerning many Brazilians, including rising living costs and public security. He accused Lula of “reckless spending” on social measures announced during the campaign in an effort to secure re-election.
Lula challenged him to say whether he would follow the deep public spending cuts introduced by Argentina’s right-wing president, Javier Milei. Bolsonaro did not answer directly, moving instead to other subjects.
He acknowledged that his father’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic “wasn’t an area where we saw the best results during Bolsonaro’s presidency. I’ll offer a mea culpa here.”
Lula also sought to portray his opponent as detached from poorer Brazilians, claiming Bolsonaro had never used public healthcare or travelled by bus.
“My opponent only knows about buses from books. He has never even stepped foot on one. He has no idea what the world of work is like,” Lula said.
The president spent 580 days in prison in 2018 and 2019 after being convicted of corruption, but the conviction was later annulled over flaws in the investigation and legal proceedings.
Sunday’s confrontation was the first debate between the two candidates after they both declined earlier opportunities. Another debate is scheduled for October 23, two days before the run-off.
Supporters rally behind rival candidates
The debate followed competing displays of support in cities across Brazil. Bolsonaro supporters wearing the national colours of yellow, green and blue filled Paulista Avenue in São Paulo, where the senator addressed a rally.
Lula’s supporters, dressed in the red associated with his Workers’ Party, gathered in Brasília’s government district, while students backing the president protested against Bolsonaro in Rio de Janeiro.
At the Brasília rally, Lula supporter Sonia Maria said: “We need the current government to remain in power. If another government comes in, we’re, excuse my language, screwed.”
In São Paulo, Bolsonaro supporter Vera de Sousa said: “I don’t like bandits. Out with Lula!”
