Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Senator Flávio Bolsonaro clashed over security, the economy, and corruption during their first televised runoff debate ahead of the October 25 presidential election.
The debate was broadcast by Band and grew tense as the rivals confronted each other directly. Supporters in the audience also interrupted the encounter repeatedly. On public safety, Bolsonaro called for a harsher fight against organized crime, while Lula urged cooperation between federal and state governments.
The candidates also argued over the economy, with Bolsonaro demanding budget cuts while Lula defended public investments and welfare programs. Both men traded corruption accusations, pointing to investigations that involved the other candidate's family members and political allies. Bolsonaro, who won the most votes in the first round on October 4, challenged the incumbent president over high living costs and crime rates.
Lula asked Bolsonaro which public budget programs he would cut. The encounter took place in a tight presidential race and gave voters their first chance to compare both platforms on television. Voters across Brazil will choose the country's next president in the runoff vote on October 25.