Brazil's final debate ends with candidates tied at 50 percent

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Senator Flavio Bolsonaro concluded their final debate on Friday, with a new survey placing them in a statistical tie ahead of Sunday's runoff vote. The Datafolha institute published results on Thursday showing both candidates at 50 percent, a shift from polls released two weeks prior that gave Bolsonaro a four-point lead.

The two men met in Rio de Janeiro for the last televised debate before the election, broadcast by TV Globo. The discussion focused on economic policy, infrastructure, and regional development. Lula criticized his opponent's plan to cut public spending, comparing the strategy to the approach of Argentine President Javier Milei. Bolsonaro countered that he would face the same fiscal challenges because Lula left the country bankrupt.

Personal attacks punctuated the policy exchanges. Bolsonaro accused the incumbent of allowing organized crime to grow and failing to control the cost of living. Lula, Brazil's first working-class president, responded by questioning Bolsonaro's understanding of the average citizen's struggles. He stated that his rival did not know what hunger felt like or how Brazil functioned. Bolsonaro, the son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, positioned himself as a candidate for change who was capable of managing the government.

Tensions rose when Bolsonaro referred to Lula as "Nine Fingers," a nickname derived from an accident the 80-year-old president suffered during his time as a metalworker. Lula demanded an apology, which Bolsonaro provided. The exchange highlighted a tone that was more diplomatic than their first meeting earlier this week, though it still contained sharp jabs.

Lula also called Bolsonaro a vigilante, referencing allegations that the senator maintains ties to paramilitary groups in Rio de Janeiro. Bolsonaro said he would classify such groups as "narcoterrorists." A third heated moment involved the mother of a five-year-old killed in a shootout involving a police officer whose lawyer was Bolsonaro. The candidate maintained that he does not believe his client was guilty.

Bolsonaro finished first in the first round of voting on October 4, receiving 47 percent of the vote to Lula's 45 percent. The current 50 percent tie in the latest polling erases the previous gap in favor of the challenger. Both candidates are scheduled to appear on the streets of Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo for their final campaign events before the Sunday vote.