Politics · Brazil · 52 mins ago
Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro end Brazil campaign debate tied in polls
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Senator Flávio Bolsonaro faced off in Brazil’s final televised debate before Sunday’s presidential runoff.
The Friday-night debate was more measured than their first encounter, which was marked by insults.
A Datafolha poll puts both candidates at 50% of valid votes, making the race too close to call.
Bolsonaro apologised twice, including for calling Lula “nine fingers,” a reference to a finger Lula lost in a workplace accident.
The candidates argued over social policies, the cost of living and public debt, while Bolsonaro promised tax cuts and higher wages and pensions.
Lula defended his government’s record and investment in infrastructure, including in the northeast, a key region for his support.
The runoff vote is on Sunday, after which the winner will be determined.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Senator Flávio Bolsonaro ended Brazil’s final televised debate before the runoff with polls showing them tied.
The debate took place Friday night on TV Globo, two days before the October 25 runoff.
A Datafolha poll published Thursday gave each candidate 50% of valid votes.
The debate was more measured than their first encounter, which had quickly descended into insults.
Bolsonaro apologised twice to Lula, including for a remark referring to Lula as “nine fingers.”
- Who
- President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Senator Flávio Bolsonaro.
- What
- They held their final televised debate before Brazil’s presidential runoff, with a poll showing them tied.
- When
- Friday night, October 23, 2026; the runoff was scheduled for Sunday, October 25.
- Where
- TV Globo in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
- Why
- The candidates sought to sway undecided voters before the runoff.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Lula and Bolsonaro held their first debate, which The Hindu reported quickly descended into insults.
A Datafolha poll published that evening showed both candidates at 50% of voting intentions.
Lula and Bolsonaro held their final televised debate before the runoff on TV Globo.
Brazil’s presidential runoff was scheduled to take place.
- Datafolha poll
- 50% of valid votes for each candidate
- Debate venue
- TV Globo, Rio de Janeiro
- Runoff date
- October 25, 2026
- First-round result
- Flávio Bolsonaro 47.03%; Lula 45.16%
- Bolsonaro apologies
- Twice during the debate
9 sources
Bolsonaro apologises twice to Lula in a calmer final debate as polls show a dead heat
Lula defende políticas sociais, e Flávio Bolsonaro diz que petista tira com '9 dedos' dinheiro da população
Governadores e senadores aliados de Flávio aparecem juntos em vídeo antes do debate da Globo
Lula, Bolsonaro to clash once more before Brazil vote
What people are saying
It was a mistake
Today, after having children, I would vote completely differently.
When you had the chance to vote in favour, you didn’t.
Lula is on an upward trajectory, but he has not yet landed a decisive blow to turn the tide. This debate could be his last chance.