Lula and Flavio Bolsonaro trade blows in final Rio debate before Sunday vote

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Senate candidate Flavio Bolsonaro concluded their campaign with a sharp exchange in Rio de Janeiro on Friday. The final debate took place two days before the run-off election, with both men focusing on the state of the national economy and public safety. The event was broadcast live on TV Globo.

The economic argument centered on the size of the federal budget. Lula criticized Bolsonaro’s plan to cut public spending, comparing the approach to the policies of Argentine President Javier Milei. Bolsonaro rejected the comparison, telling the incumbent that he would face the same task because Lula was leaving the country bankrupt. He argued that his opponent had failed to control the cost of living and had pushed ordinary families into debt.

The candidates also clashed on the issue of organized crime. Bolsonaro accused the president of allowing criminal networks to expand across the nation. Lula responded by questioning Bolsonaro’s understanding of the country and the struggles of its working class. He stated that his rival did not know what hunger was, a comment Bolsonaro answered by asking why everyday goods had become so expensive.

Tensions rose during a segment involving personal history. Bolsonaro referred to Lula as Nine Fingers, a nickname used by some supporters to reference an industrial accident the 80-year-old president suffered early in his career. Lula demanded an apology, which Bolsonaro offered. The president then called the senator a vigilante, citing allegations of ties to paramilitary groups in Rio de Janeiro. Bolsonaro responded by saying he would classify such groups as narcoterrorists.

A third point of contention involved a police officer who was the lawyer’s client in a case regarding a five-year-old killed in a shootout. Bolsonaro maintained that he did not believe his client was guilty of the incident. The exchange marked one of the few moments where the candidates moved away from broad policy questions to specific legal disputes.

The voting race has become tight in the days leading up to the final ballot. Bolsonaro won the first round of voting on October 4, capturing 47 percent of the vote compared to Lula’s 45 percent. A survey from the Datafolha institute released on Thursday shows the two candidates tied at 50 percent each. This result erases the four-point advantage Bolsonaro held in polls published two weeks ago.

Both candidates plan to hold final rallies in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo before Sunday’s vote. They will address supporters on the streets in a last push to secure the presidency.