The debate, characterized by limited moderation, quickly descended into a heated exchange of corruption accusations. Lula, 80, called Senator Bolsonaro, 45, a “habitual liar,” a “thug,” and a “militiaman,” alluding to alleged ties to paramilitary groups in Rio de Janeiro. In response, the senator accused Lula of “reckless spending” and referred to him as a “clown.” Throughout the event, Bolsonaro paced behind Lula, shaking his head and scoffing, while the president physically distanced himself from his opponent.
Lula demanded an explanation regarding a corruption investigation involving the senator’s father, former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is currently under house arrest serving a 27-year sentence for efforts to overturn the 2022 election. Flavio Bolsonaro dodged the question, instead raising a potential corruption case involving one of the president’s sons. When asked about his plans to emulate the drastic public spending cuts implemented by Argentina’s President Javier Milei, the senator pivoted to other topics. However, regarding his father’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, Bolsonaro admitted it “wasn’t an area where we saw the best results” and offered a “mea culpa.”
Lula also sought to portray his opponent as out of touch with poor Brazilians, stating that Bolsonaro had never used the country’s public healthcare system or taken a bus. “My opponent only knows about buses from books. He has never even stepped foot on one,” Lula said.
Polls indicate a closely contested race ahead of the October 25 vote. Flavio Bolsonaro is currently the favorite, having finished nearly two percentage points ahead of Lula in the first round on October 4, where he received 47 percent of the vote to Lula’s 45 percent. Both candidates are aiming to engage the approximately 33 million voters who did not participate in the first round. This Sunday’s event was the first debate between the two, as they had previously declined opportunities to meet. A second debate is scheduled for October 23.
Supporters of both candidates gathered in large numbers prior to the debate. Pro-Bolsonaro crowds packed Paulista Avenue in São Paulo, while Lula supporters, many wearing red, filled plazas in Brasília and Rio de Janeiro. Additionally, on the same day, Brazil’s federal police asked the Supreme Court to open an investigation into Senator Bolsonaro over a money laundering accusation involving a lawyer close to him.
