Fierce Brazil presidential campaign to see Bolsonaro, Lula face off in debate

Debate is the first ahead of October 2 elections. Bolsonaro has not confirmed his participation, but is expected to appear, according to sources

Polls have put Lula in the lead as the race heats up, showing the leftist leader taking 47 per cent of the vote compared to Bolsonaro’s 32 per cent

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Brazil’s two main presidential candidates, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and Jair Bolsonaro are expected to participated in the country’s first televised debate of this presidential campaign. Photo: AFP/File

Published: 1:13pm, 28 Aug 2022Updated: 1:24pm, 28 Aug 2022

Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro is expected to face his biggest rival for the presidency, popular leftist Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, on Sunday for a debate ahead of October elections, after days of uncertainty over whether they would participate.

“See you at Band (broadcaster Rede Bandeirantes) tomorrow,” Lula, who was president of Brazil from 2003-2010, tweeted on Saturday.

Bolsonaro has not officially confirmed his participation, but is also expected to appear, according to campaign sources quoted by local media on Saturday.

“At one point I thought I shouldn’t go, now I think I should … I think my strategy is going to work,” the far-right leader said in an interview with Jovem Pan radio on Friday.

The debate is the first in the campaign calendar ahead of the October 2 elections. Organizers have also invited four other candidates, including former finance minister Ciro Gomes and Senator Simone Tebet.