Ahead of the run-off vote for the presidential elections in Brazil, incumbent President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and right-wing Senator Flavio Bolsonaro clashed over a series of topics, which later turned into personal attacks, marking their first debate.
In the first round of voting on 4 October, Flávio Bolsonaro, son of former president Jair Bolsonaro , won by 47 percent to Lula’s 45 per cent.
Meanwhile, 80-year-old Lula targeted Bolsonaro over the senator’s ties to US President Donald Trump.
“It is striking how the Bolsonaro family is subservient to American interests,” said Lula, accusing the right-wing leader of conspiring to “hand over” Brazil’s rare earth minerals to Washington. “Lying is the Bolsonaro family’s strong suit,” Lula said. The younger Bolsonaro also called the incumbent a “clown” after dodging a question about a corruption investigation regarding his father, Jair Bolsonaro.
The debate between Lula and Bolsonaro focused on the economy, public security, corruption and Brazil’s relations with the United States, covering a range of issues which the voters of Brazil feel will impact the direction their country goes after the vote. Meanwhile, Lula supporters wearing red, symbolic of his Workers’ Party, filled Brasilia’s plaza of government buildings, while students backing the president protested against Bolsonaro in Rio de Janeiro.
