Lula and Bolsonaro hold final debate
Brazilian presidential candidates sought to win over undecided voters two days before the runoff.
Follow-up to: Brazilian election remains neck-and-neck Friday, 23 October 2026, 19:41
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President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and opposition candidate Flávio Bolsonaro held their final televised debate before Brazil’s presidential election on Friday. The confrontation took place as the race remained neck and neck, according to earlier reports.
The debate was broadcast by TV Globo two days before the second round of voting on Sunday 25 October. According to Agência Brasil, Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro were the only participants, and the programme began on Friday evening from the broadcaster’s studios in Rio de Janeiro.
The main focus was the limited number of voters who could still change their preference. AP described the debate as an attempt by both candidates to address undecided voters directly, after the campaigns had focused more heavily on mobilisation and personal attacks in recent days.
Lula is defending the continuation of his presidency on behalf of the Workers’ Party. His campaign emphasises social programmes, purchasing power and the role of government. Flávio Bolsonaro, a senator and candidate for the right-wing Liberal Party, presents himself as an alternative to Lula’s policies and builds on the political movement surrounding his father, former president Jair Bolsonaro.
The election also matters beyond Brazil. The country is Latin America’s largest economy and plays an important role in discussions about trade, climate policy, the Amazon and the continent’s international position. A change of power could therefore affect the tone of Brazil’s relations with the United States, China and European countries.
The result will be decided on Sunday by the candidate who wins more than half of the valid votes. Opinion polls offer no certainty about the winner; in a close runoff, turnout, blank ballots and regional differences could prove decisive.
The debate itself does not automatically change the election. Voters may confirm their preference, but may also decide not to vote. Brazil’s electoral authorities expect the first nationwide results after polling stations close on Sunday.
Also show the region and a close-up
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro took part in the final televised debate before the runoff.
- The election takes place on 25 October.
- The candidates clearly represent different political currents.
Left
Arguments A Lula government should protect social provisions, purchasing power and public services, and prevent authoritarian or polarising politics from becoming dominant again.
Values Equality, social protection, democratic institutions and the protection of minorities.
Consequences According to this view, a Bolsonaro victory could lead to less social protection and sharper social divisions.
Centre
Arguments The next government should combine social goals with fiscal discipline, administrative stability and cooperation with Congress.
Values Continuity, feasibility, institutional checks and economic predictability.
Consequences A major change of power or continuing polarisation could make policy and international cooperation more difficult.
Right
Arguments Brazil needs a course that emphasises security, economic freedom and a smaller role for the federal government.
Values Individual responsibility, order, entrepreneurship and national sovereignty.
Consequences According to this view, a continuation of Lula’s policies could lead to higher government spending, heavier burdens and less room for businesses.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The core facts about the debate, the date and the candidates are confirmed by AP and Agência Brasil. Expectations about the election result are presented as uncertain.
- confirmed Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro took part in the final televised debate before the second round of voting on 23 October. — Confirmed by Agência Brasil and AP. source
- confirmed The second round of voting takes place on 25 October. — Confirmed in AP’s coverage of the final debate evening. source
- confirmed Brazil is Latin America’s largest economy. — General economic background; not decisive to the news claim. source
Editor's note
It is certain that the final televised debate took place on 23 October between Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro. Its eventual influence on voters and the result cannot be established.Sources
- Lula, Bolsonaro reach out to undecided voters in last debate — Associated Press
- Confira a agenda dos presidenciáveis nesta sexta-feira (23) — Agência Brasil
The story so far
- Friday, 23 October 2026, 19:41 Brazilian election remains neck-and-neck
- Saturday, 24 October 2026, 08:14 Lula and Bolsonaro hold final debate (this article)
More on this in Dutch media
- AD — „brazilië verkiezingen”
- de Volkskrant — „brazilië verkiezingen”
- RTL Nieuws — „brazilië verkiezingen”