Lula, Bolsonaro face off in first debate of bruising election

Brazil's incumbent President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and his rival, 45-year-old Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, are set to engage in their first televised debate ahead of the country's historic presidential runoff election. Bolsonaro, son of former right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro, stunned many by securing a surprise first-round win. This crucial evening debate is anticipated to be a turning point in a campaign fraught with controversies and personal attacks.

Lula, who declined to participate in the first debate's precursor, will face his opponent in a high-stakes showdown. Meanwhile, Flavio Bolsonaro will host a rally along Sao Paulo's bustling Paulista Avenue, while in Rio de Janeiro, legendary musician Caetano Veloso will lead a "rally for democracy" on Copacabana beach, alongside a host of artists. The rallies come in the wake of widespread protests across Brazil's major cities, underscoring the growing discontent with the prospect of another far-right administration.

According to recent polls, Bolsonaro maintains a narrow lead over Lula, with just over 51% of voting intentions compared to Lula's 49%. However, Lula's campaign is experiencing a renewed sense of determination and strategy, with the 80-year-old former president enlisting the help of younger social media influencers to revamp his digital outreach.

He has also accused Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, of interfering in the election by limiting his content and giving Bolsonaro's campaign an unfair advantage. Lula's campaign has subsequently called for investigations into potential electoral offenses related to Meta's alleged actions.

In a bid to win over voters, Lula has announced significant policy measures, such as expanding weekly paid leave for workers from one to two days, offering university scholarships, and eliminating fuel taxes. Despite Bolsonaro's criticisms, he voted in favor of the paid leave proposal in a last-minute switch, citing electoral opportunism.

Bolsonaro, meanwhile, has redoubled his focus on crime control, promising constitutional reforms, including capping presidential terms at a single term, and has vowed to free his imprisoned father, who is currently serving a 27-year sentence for a failed coup attempt. The Workers' Party, led by Lula, faces mounting criticism over alleged corruption and scandal, with many questioning the legitimacy of their continued governance.