Lula, Bolsonaro reach out to undecided voters in last debate of Brazil’s presidential race

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro engaged in a much calmer debate Friday, the second and final showdown ahead of Sunday's presidential runoff election, as they sought to attract the remaining undecided voters in a tight contest. The discussion, held on TV Globo, Brazil's most-watched broadcaster, lasted two hours and allowed candidates to present their visions to each other.

A tense moment arose when Flávio Bolsonaro, son of the former president Jair Bolsonaro, referred to Lula as "nine fingers," a derogatory nickname often used by his supporters in reference to a work-related accident involving the current president. Lula demanded an apology, which Bolsonaro eventually provided. Lula also labeled Flávio Bolsonaro a "vigilante," alluding to groups allied with police operating in impoverished communities in Rio de Janeiro. Bolsonaro promised to rebrand those militias as "narcoterrorists."

Another heated exchange occurred between Flávio Bolsonaro and the mother of a 5-year-old who was killed in a shooting involving a police officer who served as the presidential candidate's lawyer. Bolsonaro denied any guilt for his client. The debate covered topics such as the minimum wage, public security measures, Brazil's universal healthcare system, and measures to stimulate agribusiness.

Both candidates are expected to rally tens of thousands of supporters on Saturday in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, their final push before the election. Flávio Bolsonaro emerged victorious in the first round of voting with 47% of the votes, while Lula, seeking his fourth nonconsecutive term, is currently leading in recent polls, indicating a very narrow race.

The winner will lead Latin America's largest economy and a population of 214 million. A Bolsonaro victory could strengthen U.S. influence in the region, as he is an ally of U.S. President Donald Trump, while a Lula win would maintain Brazil's distance from Washington and strengthen ties with China.