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Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro clash in a debate marked by corruption accusations

One week before the elections, Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro face off in a debate exchanging attacks on corruption and their respective platforms.

19 October 2026Tagblick Newsdesk

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Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro clash in a debate marked by corruption accusations — Photo: Esteban Collazo · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.5 ar

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) and Senator Flávio Bolsonaro (PL-RJ) faced off on Sunday, October 18, in their first in-person debate, just a week before the second round of presidential elections in Brazil. This debate, organized by Grupo Bandeirantes, was the first between both candidates in this electoral contest and focused on various topics, including the economy, public security, and corruption.

President Lula launched accusations against his opponent, linking him to international leaders such as U.S. President Donald Trump and Argentinian Javier Milei. In response, Flávio Bolsonaro countered by mentioning Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega and deposed Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, also in an attempt to discredit the current Brazilian president.

Both candidates exchanged accusations regarding corruption involving their families, amplifying the debate's tone. Lula and Bolsonaro discussed previous and ongoing investigations affecting their respective family environments, appealing to these cases as examples of their counterparts' lack of integrity.

Archive photo: Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro clash in a debate marked by corruption accusations — Archive photoPhoto: Presidencia de la N. Argentina · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0

A Datafolha poll published days before the debate showed a technical tie between the candidates, giving the senator a 51% intention to vote and the president a 49%. These figures suggest that the campaign has been very competitive, especially after Lula's government announced an increase in the Bolsa Família program, which has positively impacted his popularity among beneficiaries of this social program.

During the clash, security criteria were also a highlighted point, where each candidate defended their strategy to tackle organized crime. The speeches included divergent views on how to combat insecurity in the country, resonating with a population concerned about these issues.

The debate took place on a day when both candidates had mobilized their supporters to generate backing. The tense atmosphere and accusations were key characteristics of this exchange, which is anticipated to influence voter behavior ahead of the second round on October 25.

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