Brazil's Bolsonaro, Lula spar in first debate as personal attacks fly
The debate turned into personal attacks as polls show a tight race, with 33 million first-round voters staying home and a second debate set for Friday.
- Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula and Senator Flavio Bolsonaro engaged in a heated first face-to-face presidential debate on Sunday, trading accusations ahead of the October 25 runoff.
- Flavio finished nearly two points ahead of Lula in the election's first round earlier this month, setting the stage for the contentious debate focused on economy, security, corruption, and United States relations.
- Lula called Flavio "a habitual liar, a thug," while Flavio retaliated by accusing the president of corruption, stating he kept distance "because my wallet could be stolen."
- Tens of thousands of supporters rallied across Sao Paulo, Rio, Brasilia, and 16 other state capitals, with Lula's backers holding a "rally for democracy" at Copacabana Beach while others demanded Former President Jair Bolsonaro's release.
- Lula accused the Bolsonaro family of being "subservient to American interests" and conspiring to "hand over" Brazil's rare earth minerals to the United States, ahead of the next debate scheduled for Friday, October 23.
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Lula and Bolsonaro spar in TV debate ahead of presidential runoff
Corruption is a top concern for many Brazilian voters ahead of the weekend runoff vote but experts say its greatest impact may not be on which candidates voters choose, but on whether they decide to sit out of the election altogether.
Final Election Drama in Brazil: TV Duel Derailed Between Lula and Bolsonaro – "Halunke, Liar, Clown"
Just before the final election, the tone escalates in Brazil. Corruption becomes the central attack point in the TV duel between Lula and Bolsonaro.
Lula accused Bolsonaro of squandering Brazil's interests in the US; Bolsonaro accused the president of corruption.
Seven days before the second round of the presidential elections, on Sunday 25 October, Brazilian voters will not have learned much about the two candidates' agenda. The son of the former far right leader has multiplied the attacks against the President.
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