OMM Newsroom
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and conservative Sen. Flavio Bolsonaro traded sharp attacks on infrastructure, public security and corruption allegations on Friday in their final debate before Sunday’s presidential runoff.
The second head-to-head debate between the candidates was broadcast from “TV Globo” studios in Rio de Janeiro. A Datafolha poll released on Thursday showed both contenders at 50%, according to Anadolu Agency.
Bolsonaro, 45, the son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, led the first round with 47%, while Lula, 80, who leads the Workers’ Party (PT), received 45%.
Bolsonaro opened by criticizing the government’s public works record, claiming that 100,500 construction projects across the country were stalled. He said Brazil had become “a vast graveyard of construction projects” and argued that government spending had damaged purchasing power.
Lula pledged to complete all halted projects, citing federal investment in highways, tunnels and water diversion projects.
Seeking to win middle-class support, Bolsonaro promised to raise the minimum wage and pensions. He also said he would not privatize state-owned “Banco do Brasil” or “Petrobras”.
The candidates clashed over their records and policy positions. Lula criticized Flavio Bolsonaro for opposing an extension of maternity leave while serving as a Rio de Janeiro state representative. Bolsonaro acknowledged the position, saying he would vote differently after having children.
Lula also criticized the elder Bolsonaro’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic, accusing his administration of allowing more than 700,000 people to die by ignoring medical advice.
Bolsonaro, in turn, accused Lula of maintaining lenient criminal justice policies. “Lula, why don’t you put the victims’ interests above those of the criminals?” he asked.
The debate shifted to mutual accusations after Lula raised an offshore property dispute involving “Tottenham Hotspur” forward Richarlison. The footballer had recently accused Bolsonaro of acquiring an island and mansion in Angra dos Reis through illicit legal maneuvers.
As Lula sought to draw attention to corruption allegations involving the Bolsonaro family, the discussion turned to the property claims. Bolsonaro responded by alleging that Lula had accepted a bottle of high-end whiskey worth 500,000 reais ($100,700) from a political donor.
“TV Globo” imposed strict stage rules requiring the candidates to stay in designated areas while the other was speaking. The measures were introduced to prevent non-verbal intimidation tactics seen during Sunday’s debate on “TV Band”, when Bolsonaro frequently stood behind Lula as he spoke.
Brazilians will vote on Sunday to choose their president in an election analysts have described as one of the country’s most polarized.
The close polling has driven large-scale digital and grassroots campaigning. Seeking a dramatic comeback, the PT launched a major social media campaign through its “Lula Army” “WhatsApp” network, which gained more than 1 million followers on Friday to reach nearly 10 million subscribers.
Building on his first-round lead, Bolsonaro has sought to present himself as part of a broader conservative resurgence in Latin America, although former US President Donald Trump has not explicitly endorsed him.
