Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro Clash in Final Debate Before Brazil's Run-Off

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and senator Flávio Bolsonaro held their final presidential debate on Friday, October 23, two days before Sunday's run-off vote. The debate took place in Rio de Janeiro and was broadcast on TV Globo.

The run-off is the second round of the election, a head-to-head vote between the two candidates who lead the first. In the first round, held on October 4, Flávio Bolsonaro finished first with 47 percent of the vote, while Lula received 45 percent. Flávio Bolsonaro is the son of former president Jair Bolsonaro.

The debate covered economic policy, infrastructure and regional development, and the two men questioned each other on those subjects. Reuters reported that they clashed over living costs and corruption. Bolsonaro criticized food prices, and Lula defended his wage policy.

Lula also asked his opponent about the SUS, Brazil's public health system, and about ways to improve public health, according to Globo's coverage of the debate.

The tone was markedly different from the first meeting between the two. AFP reported that the earlier debate was loaded with insults and contained few concrete policy proposals, while the final one was calmer. The Associated Press reported that both candidates reached out to undecided voters during the exchange.

The race itself is close. A Datafolha survey published on October 22 showed Lula and Bolsonaro tied at 50 percent each. A separate Nexus poll, commissioned by BTG Pactual and published on October 19, put Flávio Bolsonaro at 46.5 percent in a run-off against Lula's 45.9 percent.

Ahead of the vote, Lula pushed for popular and costly measures to strengthen his chances, according to the Associated Press. Lula is the left-leaning incumbent in the election.

Both candidates are expected to join supporters in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo for their final campaign events before the Sunday, October 25 vote.