Lula and Bolsonaro Trade Fierce Jabs in First Debate Ahead of Brazil Runoff

In their first head-to-head debate before the decisive runoff vote, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and right-wing Senator Flavio Bolsonaro traded fierce personal attacks. The event came just a week before the October 25 election, at a moment when the presidential race is seen as finely balanced.

In a chaotic back-and-forth, the two repeatedly called each other "liar," accused one another of corruption, dredged up past scandals and clashed over issues ranging from public security to health care.

Lula called Bolsonaro a "habitual liar" and a "thug," and kept his distance on stage from an opponent he described as a "militiaman," an allusion to allegations linked to paramilitary groups in Rio de Janeiro.

Bolsonaro, who led the first round with 47% to Lula's 45%, said it was better to keep away from Lula "because my wallet could be stolen."

Throughout the debate, the 45-year-old Bolsonaro, son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, paced behind Lula, shaking his head, smirking and looking contemptuous as his rival spoke.

Lula, 80, who is seeking a fourth term, demanded an explanation about a corruption investigation involving former President Jair Bolsonaro, but his opponent dodged the question.

Bolsonaro later called Lula a "clown" and hit back by raising a potential corruption case involving one of the president's sons.

Jair Bolsonaro is currently under house arrest while serving a 27-year sentence over his attempt to overturn the result of the 2022 election, which he lost to Lula.

Cost of living and public spending

Flavio Bolsonaro focused on Brazilians' top concerns, such as the cost of living and crime, accusing Lula of "reckless spending" to win re-election, referring to the many social measures the president has announced during the campaign.

Lula responded by asking Bolsonaro about plans to imitate the deep public spending cuts of Argentina's right-wing President Javier Milei. Bolsonaro dodged the question throughout the debate and moved on to other topics.

When the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic under his father was raised, Bolsonaro acknowledged that "this was not the area where we got the best results during Mr. Bolsonaro's presidency. I take responsibility here."

Lula also sought to portray his opponent as out of touch with the reality of Brazil's poor, saying Bolsonaro had never used the country's public health system or ridden a bus.

"My opponent only knows about buses from books. He has never set foot on one. He doesn't know what the world of work is like," Lula said.

Voters show their colors

Ahead of Sunday's debate, supporters of each candidate gathered in large numbers in public spaces to show their loyalty.

A crowd backing Bolsonaro, dressed in the Brazilian flag's yellow, green and blue, filled Paulista Avenue in the financial hub of Sao Paulo, where the candidate addressed the crowd.

Lula supporters dressed in red, the symbol of the Workers' Party, filled the square outside the government buildings in Brasilia, while students backing the president protested against Bolsonaro in Rio de Janeiro.

"We need the current government to stay in power. If another government comes in, forgive my language, we'll be in trouble," Lula supporter Sonia Maria said at the rally in Brasilia.

"I don't like thieves. Down with Lula!" Bolsonaro supporter Vera de Sousa said in Sao Paulo.

Also on Sunday, Brazil's federal police asked the country's Supreme Court to open an investigation into Bolsonaro over money-laundering allegations involving a lawyer close to him.

The presidential candidate is also under investigation over his ties to Daniel Vorcaro, a disgraced former bank employee who financed a film about Jair Bolsonaro's life.

Lula served 580 days in prison in 2018 and 2019 on a corruption conviction that was later annulled because of flaws in the investigation and proceedings.

Polls show a tight race for the October 25 runoff, with Flavio Bolsonaro holding a slight edge after finishing nearly 2 percentage points ahead of Lula in the first round on October 4.

Both candidates are hoping to win over the 33 million voters who did not turn out in the first round, about one-fifth of the total eligible electorate.

Sunday's debate was the first direct confrontation between Lula and Bolsonaro after both declined earlier opportunities. A second debate is scheduled for October 23, just before the decisive vote.