Bolsonaro apologises twice to Lula in a calmer final debate as polls show a dead heat

Senator Flávio Bolsonaro apologized twice to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva during the final televised debate before Sunday’s runoff in Brazil, held on TV Globo. The candidates were tied, with the Datafolha poll giving each 50% of valid votes. The first apology occurred when Lula questioned Bolsonaro about voting against extending maternity leave as a state deputy in Rio de Janeiro.

Bolsonaro acknowledged it was a mistake and stated he would vote differently today after having children. Lula responded by accusing Bolsonaro of not voting in favor when he had the chance. The second apology came after Bolsonaro called the president "nine fingers," a nickname related to the finger he lost in a workplace accident.

Lula retorted, "I will not allow a militiaman to call me nine fingers," contrasting their backgrounds. Lula also asked about Bolsonaro's past remarks on Bolsa Família, and Bolsonaro countered by comparing the proposed plans of both candidates, with Argentina's current government facing high inflation under President Javier Milei.

The debate focused on the cost of living and public debt, with Bolsonaro promising tax cuts, increased minimum wages, and pensions adjusted for inflation, while pledging not to privatize Petrobras or Banco do Brasil. Bolsonaro challenged Lula for votes in the northeast, his strongest region, stating he would be the most northeastern carioca Lula had ever seen.