Brazilians Lula and Bolsonaro debate political proposals before second round | Election news

Polls indicate that Brazil’s presidential candidates are neck and neck ahead of Sunday’s vote.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and his right-wing rival Flavio Bolsonaro focused on policy proposals in the final debate before the presidential election runoff.

The candidates questioned themselves on Friday, two days before the election, about Brazil’s economy, infrastructure and regional development.

Lula challenged his rival’s plan to “cut” public spending in a manner similar to that of Argentina’s libertarian president, Javier Milei.

“I will have the same job here (as Milei in Argentina) because you are leaving the country bankrupt,” Bolsonaro responded.

Bolsonaro, son of right-wing former President Jair Bolsonaro, accused the outgoing president of allowing organized crime to flourish, pushing families into debt and failing to address the higher cost of living.

“He doesn’t know what hunger is,” Brazil’s first working-class president said of Bolsonaro, who responded: “Why are things so expensive?”

Lula questioned the senator’s experience, saying: “He doesn’t know Brazil.”

His challenger redoubled his efforts to present himself as a competent candidate who represented change for the country.

Tense moments

Friday’s debate in Rio de Janeiro, broadcast on TV Globo, was significantly more diplomatic than Sunday’s initial confrontation, but also saw its share of personal attacks and tense moments.

Bolsonaro nicknamed Lula “Nine Fingers,” a derogatory nickname used by many of his supporters that refers to an accident the Brazilian president suffered while he was a metalworker. The 80-year-old leader demanded an apology, which Bolsonaro presented to him.

Lula in response called Bolsonaro a vigilante, referring to allegations that his rival has ties to paramilitary groups in Rio de Janeiro. Bolsonaro said he would classify these groups as “narcoterrorists.”

The third tense exchange took place between Bolsonaro and the mother of a five-year-old killed in a shooting involving a police officer who had the presidential candidate as his lawyer. Bolsonaro said he did not believe his client was guilty.

Bolsonaro finished first in the first round of voting on October 4 with 47 percent of the vote to Lula’s 45 percent.

A survey by the Datafolha institute published on Thursday suggests that the two men are now tied with 50% support each, compared to four points ahead for Bolsonaro in polls published two weeks ago.

Both candidates are expected to join their supporters in the streets of Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo in their final election campaign before Sunday’s runoff.