Flávio Bolsonaro’s campaign weighs whether he should attend Sunday debate

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  Flávio Bolsonaro’s campaign is expected to decide on Tuesday whether he will attend a presidential debate on Sunday.

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  His allies are divided, with one group favoring avoiding the debate and another warning that his absence could be a strategic mistake.

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  The debate is being organized by TV Bandeirantes in partnership with Jovem Pan.

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  Flávio previously withdrew from a TV Globo debate before the first round and has said he would take part in second-round debates.

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  Neither Flávio nor President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has accepted an invitation to a 2026 presidential debate so far.

Who

Senator Flávio Bolsonaro and President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva are the candidates at the center of the debate decision.

What

Flávio’s campaign is weighing whether he should attend a presidential debate. His allies disagree about the risks of attending or staying away.

When

The debate is scheduled for Sunday, October 18, 2026. The campaign is expected to decide on Tuesday, October 13.

Where

The debate is to be held by TV Bandeirantes in partnership with Jovem Pan; the article does not state the venue.

Why

Some allies want Flávio to avoid exposure, while others say an absence could be used against him because he criticized Lula for missing debates and said he would attend second-round debates.

This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.