Lula and Flavio Bolsonaro Trade Attacks in First Runoff Debate

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Senator Flavio Bolsonaro faced each other on stage in Sao Paulo on Sunday night for their first debate of the presidential runoff, and the meeting turned personal within minutes. The two men called each other liars again and again, traded corruption charges and clashed over crime, food prices and healthcare, one week before the runoff vote on October 25.

Flavio Bolsonaro, 45, is the son of former president Jair Bolsonaro. He finished nearly two points ahead of Lula in the first round on October 4 and entered as the favourite in most polls, though surveys show the gap narrowing, Reuters reported. Lula told reporters before the debate that he wants to win over the 33 million voters who stayed home in the first round, about one in five eligible voters. Lula says he can be the first candidate since the 1980s to finish second in round one and still win.

Corruption charges fly

The format let the candidates move around the stage, and the exchanges grew tense. Lula pressed Flavio Bolsonaro over alleged links to Daniel Vorcaro, a jailed banker. Flavio Bolsonaro questioned Lula about accusations involving the president's son and a pension fraud scandal.

"Lying is the Bolsonaro family's strong suit," Lula said. Flavio Bolsonaro answered that Lula has a problem in his DNA and is always tainted by corruption. At one point Lula refused to stand near his rival and called him a militiaman, a reference to allegations of ties to paramilitary groups in Rio de Janeiro. Flavio Bolsonaro replied that it was good he had left his wallet behind, a jab at Lula's 2017 corruption conviction, which was later annulled. Analyst Lucas de Aragao said Flavio Bolsonaro had a slight edge on posture, Reuters reported.

Policy under the insults

Crime took up much of the night. Flavio Bolsonaro pledged to declare war on narcoterrorism from January if he wins, to have Brazil's major gangs and militias designated as narcoterrorist organisations, and to build more than half a million new prison spaces.

Lula defended his economic record, arguing that growth comes from putting money in the hands of many rather than a few, and pointed to minimum wage rises above inflation. The two clashed over food prices, which have hurt Lula's support even as inflation falls and unemployment sits at a record low. "Is food more expensive or cheaper? How long has it been since you put a piece of meat in your freezer?" Flavio Bolsonaro asked. They also accused each other of betraying Brazil's sovereignty. Lula said the Bolsonaro family had lobbied the United States to impose tariffs on Brazil.

Rallies show the split

Hours before the debate, supporters of both camps rallied in the streets. Flavio Bolsonaro supporters filled Paulista Avenue in Sao Paulo. Lula supporters packed the plaza in Brasilia's government district and chanted for Jair Bolsonaro to stay in jail.

Lula spent 580 days in prison in 2018 and 2019 on a corruption conviction that was later annulled. Jair Bolsonaro was sentenced to 27 years for plotting a coup after losing the 2022 election to Lula, and is serving it under house arrest. Flavio Bolsonaro calls his father's trial a farce and has pledged to seek an amnesty for him if he becomes president.

A second debate is set for October 23.