The Workers’ Party leader challenged the far-right candidate to disclose the origin of his wealth.

On Sunday, Brazilian President and re-election candidate Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and far-right opposition candidate Flavio Bolsonaro faced off for the first time in a presidential debate.

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Just one week before the Oct. 25 runoff election, and after skipping the first-round debates, they engaged in a tense confrontation marked by insults, corruption accusations and constant interruptions.

The friction forced the moderator to intervene repeatedly. In one of the initial exchanges, after Lula complained that Flavio was mocking him, the journalist demanded that the far-right politician show “respect” for speaking out of turn.

“The clown here is him, not me,” the Brazilian president said, accusing Flavio and Bolsonarism of lacking “ethical behavior.” Addressing public spending, Lula called his opponent a “crook” and a liar.

“Do you see that innocent-looking face of his? It belongs to a compulsive liar. He is the Rio de Janeiro crook who lies shamelessly,” the Workers’ Party leader said.

Streets of Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro, are filled with people mobilizing in support of President Lula da Silva and against the return of the far-right. Citizens share their concerns about public health (SUS) and fundamental rights.

This major cultural and political gathering… pic.twitter.com/jcGhcc9FhA

— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) October 19, 2026

“I Don’t Want to Be Near You,” Lula Said

The most tense moment occurred when Lula was invited by Bolsonaro to stand beside him and calm down. The Brazilian president returned to his podium, drank some water, and responded:

“I don’t want to be near you. I want to keep my distance from the Bolsonaro family,” Lula said, later recalling the criminal clan’s low character.

The Brazilian president accused Eduardo Bolsonaro — Flavio’s brother, who is living in the United States — of fleeing and calling for the intervention of U.S. President Donald Trump.

“They are betraying the homeland and will be judged for it… Your brother is a fugitive in the U.S., conspiring against Brazil,” Lula declared, implicitly referring to calls by the Bolsonaro clan for U.S. economic, political, and even military intervention in Brazil.

In an attempt to discredit the Workers’ Party leader, Flavio demanded that Lula explain his alleged strong electoral performance among prison inmates. “Can you explain why 73% of prisoners voted for you?” the far-right candidate asked.

Flávio Bolsonaro quer seguir o modelo da Argentina, país vizinho da carne de burro, do desemprego em alta. Lula questionou o adversário sobre isso, mas, de novo, não teve resposta. Se ele não responde, Lula faz isso: o modelo do Brasil será o modelo de Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.… pic.twitter.com/27ne3ncadO

— PT Brasil (@ptbrasil) October 19, 2026

The text reads, “Flavio Bolsonaro wants to follow the model of Argentina—a neighboring country plagued by economic hardship and rising unemployment. Lula questioned his opponent about this, but, once again, received no answer. Since he offers no response, Lula provides one: Brazil’s model will be the model of Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. According to the IMF, Brazil is set to climb back up and become the world’s 8th-largest economy by 2027. The last time Brazil held the 8th position was in 2017.”

Lula responded to the provocation mockingly, saying he would like to receive the votes of the entire prison population, including the vote of former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is serving house arrest for an attempted coup.

“I want 100% of them to vote, including your father. Your father can vote for me. He will have voted for the better candidate. He knows you and knows I am better than you,” Lula asserted and issued a challenge to Flavio Bolsonaro.

“I challenge you. Tomorrow, we will open our bank accounts and phone records to the Electoral Court and the Supreme Court so that the Brazilian people can know who the real thieves in this country are.”

In the final stretch of the debate, foreign policy took center stage. Lula questioned Flavio’s close ties with Argentine President Javier Milei, asking whether he planned to apply Milei’s economic “chainsaw” model in Brazil.

The far-right candidate dodged the question and counterattacked by criticizing the left’s regional alliances.“Brazil is internationally ruined by your policies, Lula. Look at your friends,” he declared.

teleSUR/ JF

Source: RT – teleSUR

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