Brazil, last Lula-Bolsonaro TV confrontation: duel on the economy

The first debate between the two challengers to the leadership of Brazil was full of insults and practically devoid of concrete political proposals. This time, however, the two candidates questioned each other about the Brazilian economy, infrastructure and regional development. There was no shortage of exchanges and barbs

After a previous debate marked by insults and a lack of content, the two candidates for the Brazilian presidential elections, the outgoing head of state Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and the right-wing candidate, Flavio Bolsonaro, showed more diplomatic tones in the last TV exchange before tomorrow's vote. Polls continue to predict a neck-and-neck tie and the election could be decided by a few thousand votes. This time the candidates discussed the economy, infrastructure and regional development in detail. There was no shortage of exchanges of jokes and barbs, with Lula attacking the 45-year-old senator's lack of experience, who in turn accused the president of leaving a "country in ruins".

Poll: the two rivals are tied

At stake in Sunday's elections is the political future of Latin America's largest country: whether it will join the regional right supported by US President Donald Trump or remain a stronghold of the left. A survey by the Datafolha institute shows the two candidates tied with 50% of voting intentions each, compared to Bolsonaro's four percentage point lead in polls published two weeks ago.

The political agenda

Looking at the political agenda, Bolsonaro promised to solve Brazil's crime problems, create 500,000 more places in prisons and cut public spending. “Lula wants to talk about proposals, unlike Bolsonaro, who prefers attacks and provocations,” said Social Communications Minister Sidonio Palmeira. Lula, a former trade union leader, presents himself as a defender of democracy and relies largely on opposition to the Bolsonaro family's return to power. Former President Jair Bolsonaro is serving a 27-year prison sentence for attempting a coup after his defeat to Lula in 2022.

There was no shortage of low blows

Bolsonaro mocked Lula for losing a finger as a young man in an industrial accident with the quip: "It's useless, Lula, to give with one hand and take away with your nine fingers." “I will not allow a militiaman to call me “novedita,” Lula responded, referring to the paramilitary groups to which his rival is accused of being close. Bolsonaro apologized but not without first asking Lula to “apologize to the Brazilian people who suffer due to insecurity”. Lula contested his rival's plan to drastically cut public spending, along the lines of Argentine ultraliberal leader Javier Milei. “I will have the same job hier because you are driving the country into bankruptcy," replied Bolsonaro, who promised to solve Brazil's crime problems and create 500,000 more places in prisons.

Legal disputes dominated the bitter election campaign

Both candidates went to court this week to report alleged social media wrongdoing by their opponent. Lula's election campaign accused the tech giant Meta of "interfering" in favor of Flavio Bolsonaro through alleged "algorithmic manipulations". Meta denied favoring either side, but admitted that some Lula campaign ads were turned off by mistake due to technical problems. Last Thursday an electoral court gave Meta and X 24 hours to explain the criteria for distributing political content and how artificial intelligence is used. Lula's team is concerned about "the clear alignment between Meta and the US government," Joao Brant, his campaign's digital strategy consultant, told Afo. Yesterday, for its part, Bolsonaro's campaign accused Lula's team of "using public resources and digital infrastructure to interfere" in the elections. The verdict at the polls will have consequences far beyond the borders of Latin America's largest country.