In the first presidential debate of the second round, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) defended his legacy in the economy, while Senator Flávio Bolsonaro (PL) spoke about rising food prices and debt.
Lula said he was proud to have achieved two investment degrees in his governments. He also stated that the country currently has a low risk and is close to recovering its rating.
The president also cited past economic performance. He said that he already helped the country to grow 10.5% during his first government and that, after he left office, in 2010, the GDP (Gross Domestic Product) only increased above 3% after his return to Planalto, in 2023.
For the PT member, the path involves making "money circulate in people's hands". "A lot of money in the hands of few means poverty and misery. And little money in the hands of many means distribution of wealth, distribution of income."
Along these lines, Lula cited the General Law for Small and Medium Enterprises and said that the government is discussing ways to encourage MEIs to generate more jobs and growth.
The president also stated that he inherited a debt of US$30 billion with the IMF (International Monetary Fund) and a country without reserves, and that his government paid off the debt, accumulated US$270 billion in reserves and bankrolled 22 million Brazilians.
Flávio Bolsonaro began with a direct appeal to voters. He asked if life has gotten better or worse, if food is more expensive and how long it has been since the viewer has put meat in the freezer.
Flávio stated that the fact that he came out ahead in the first round caused the future interest rate to fall by 2%, and criticized the public debt of R$11 trillion, which he called "another negative record".
The PL candidate said that his eventual government would make room for more than R$200 billion in the Budget. He promised to use the money to help the government pay its own debt and, with that, help citizens pay off theirs.
He accused the current administration of spending "unrestrainedly" to try to be re-elected and stated that this puts pressure on the interest paid by families. "This debt is not yours. This debt belongs to the current government, which spends, spends unrestrainedly."
Flávio promised a debt renegotiation program and stated that he will freeze the debt of those in debt.
"You won't pay any bill. And for you who are a legal entity, it will be a year without paying a bill." He also said that he will guarantee long-term financing at low interest rates. "After a year of this grace period, you will pay your debt again, but your installment will be lower, you will pay with cheap long-term financing."
Amid the accusations between the candidates, Lula provoked Flávio by asking if the senator would embrace, if elected, the economic policy of the president of Argentina, Javier Milei, known for spending cuts in the neighboring country.
"What about Milei? Are you going to borrow Milei's chainsaw? Answer me", insisted the president. Flávio asked what Lula's model would be in the economy. "Mine. It's the model in which the economy grows and which has the largest social inclusion program in the history of this country."
6x1 scale
Flávio Bolsonaro stated that he listened to the population and that is why he changed his mind regarding the end of the 6x1 scale, but that Brazilians will not be able to take advantage of the break due to the lack of security.
"I don't want your day off to be a nightmare," he said. "I want you to go to the supermarket and fill your shopping cart, so that you can get out of your debt."
Lula countered that Flávio never got on the bus nor ever worked. "He doesn't know what the world of work is like."
The president also stated that he is aware that prices are high, but said that inflation was higher under the Bolsonaro government. "We had the grace to increase the minimum wage above inflation," he said.
When the candidates were asked about productivity, Lula stated that the industry's GDP has grown again and that the government will invest in the digital economy, with the attraction of data centers. "The most important thing is the training of professionals, especially in engineering and mathematics, to make a leap in quality."
When answering the same question, Flávio replied that he will carry out "the largest social mobility program in the history of Brazil" and that he will carry out a program to connect the government with the human resources area of companies. "It will indicate whether there is a company in your region that fits what you know how to do," he said, without giving details.
