Lula and Flavio Bolsonaro trade insults in fiery first runoff debate
Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Flavio Bolsonaro met on Sunday, Oct. 18, for the first debate of Brazil's presidential runoff, one week before the Oct. 25 vote.
The debate, hosted by broadcaster Band on the evening of Oct. 18, was the first head-to-head confrontation of the second round, which is held when no candidate wins outright in the first round. Lula, 80, is the PT candidate seeking a fourth term as president. Flavio Bolsonaro, 45, is the PL candidate and the son of former President Jair Bolsonaro. Band
Bolsonaro led the first round with 47 percent to Lula's 45 percent, according to results reported ahead of the runoff. Polls since then have pointed to a close race, with one Datafolha poll showing Bolsonaro's lead narrowing and a Quaest poll showing him slightly ahead. Al Jazeera
The Band debate followed strict rules and covered public security, health, the economy and national sovereignty. Other subjects raised included SUS, Master, Lulinha and factions, along with the United States, bank secrecy and proposals for the country. Band
The exchanges were personal at times. Lula called Flavio Bolsonaro a "habitual liar", a "thug" and a "militiaman", alluding to alleged ties to Rio de Janeiro paramilitary groups. Flavio Bolsonaro called Lula a "clown" and a "liar" and said it was better to keep Lula at a distance "because my wallet could be stolen". Al Jazeera
On policy, Flavio Bolsonaro accused Lula of "reckless spending" to get re-elected, referring to social measures announced during the campaign. Lula asked Flavio Bolsonaro about plans to emulate drastic public spending cuts implemented by Argentina's President Javier Milei. Lula also demanded an explanation regarding a corruption investigation involving former President Jair Bolsonaro, and has accused the Bolsonaros of lobbying the United States to impose tariffs on Brazil.
Flavio Bolsonaro, described as an ally of U.S. President Donald Trump, said his father's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic "wasn't an area where we saw the best results" and offered a "mea culpa". 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. Reuters
Supporters mobilized in several cities ahead of the debate. Pro-Bolsonaro crowds wearing yellow, green and blue packed Paulista Avenue in Sao Paulo, where Flavio Bolsonaro addressed the crowd. Lula supporters wearing red filled Brasilia's plaza of government buildings, while students backing Lula protested against Bolsonaro in Rio de Janeiro.
On the same Sunday, Brazil's federal police asked the Supreme Court to open an investigation into Flavio Bolsonaro over a money laundering accusation involving a lawyer close to him. Voters will decide between the two candidates in the runoff on Oct. 25.
