Lula da Silva and Flavio Bolsonaro clash over prices in final Brazil debate
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and presidential challenger Flavio Bolsonaro clashed over living costs, corruption and public security in their final televised debate on Friday, October 23, ahead of Sunday’s closely contested presidential runoff.
The debate, hosted by TV Globo, lasted more than two hours as the candidates sought to attract undecided voters before the October 25 election.
Bolsonaro, a senator and son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, finished ahead of Lula in the first round on October 4. However, recent opinion polls suggest the gap between the candidates has narrowed considerably.
🇧🇷 A debate took place on Brazilian television before the second round of the presidential elections, where candidates Inácio Lula da Silva and Flavio Bolsonaro exchanged accusations and threats of investigations. In the video, Bolsonaro is seen offering Lula to come closer, but Lula refuses.
— Sprinter Press (@Sprinter_Press) October 19, 2026
A Datafolha poll released on October 22 showed the two candidates tied at 50% each when considering valid votes.
The debate centred on economic concerns, including food prices, taxation, minimum wages and government assistance programmes.
Lula, who is seeking a fourth presidential term, defended his administration’s policy of raising the minimum wage above inflation and highlighted efforts to reduce hunger.
Bolsonaro countered that food prices had increased under Lula’s government and warned that recently approved tax reforms could raise costs for consumers.
He also accused the administration of failing to address public insecurity and household debt.
Personal attacks and corruption allegations dominate final exchanges
From the debate in Brazil a few minutes ago Lula ask Bolsonaro about his corrupt payment, was it whores for his brother? They argue and Bolsonaro tries to get Lula close, Lula resists calling him militiaman, many people around Bolsonaro have been killed With English Subtitles https://t.co/HpZNb0RumH
— BladeoftheSun (@BladeoftheS) October 19, 2026
Although the debate initially focused on policy, tensions increased when Bolsonaro referred to Lula’s missing finger during an exchange about government spending.
Lula lost part of his left little finger in an industrial accident while working as a factory employee.
Bolsonaro apologised after the president demanded a retraction but immediately challenged Lula to apologise to Brazilians facing debt and insecurity.
The confrontation intensified during the final minutes, when the candidates were allowed to question each other without moderation.
Both raised allegations involving Banco Master, a Brazilian lender at the centre of a major financial scandal.
Lula questioned Bolsonaro’s alleged connections to the bank’s jailed former executive Daniel Vorcaro.
Bolsonaro responded by raising allegations involving Lula’s son and a separate pension fraud investigation.
Neither candidate presented evidence during the debate establishing the other’s personal involvement in the alleged wrongdoing.
The exchange followed weeks of campaigning dominated by accusations of corruption, economic concerns and disagreements over public security.
Bolsonaro has positioned himself as a conservative alternative to Lula’s left-wing Workers’ Party, while the incumbent has emphasised social programmes and wage increases introduced during his administration.
Friday’s debate was among the candidates’ final opportunities to address a national television audience before the vote.
Under Brazilian electoral rules, radio and television campaign advertising is prohibited from Saturday, October 24, although candidates can continue holding rallies until later that day.
Brazilians will return to polling stations on Sunday, October 25, to choose their next president.
