According to Reuters and AFP, on the evening of October 23 local time, Brazilian President Rousseff, a candidate from the Labor Party, and Flavio Bolsonaro, son of former President Jair Bolsonaro and a candidate from the Freedom Party, held their final televised debate before the second round of the Brazilian presidential election.
The election is highly competitive, with both candidates striving to win over voters who have not yet made up their minds. During the debate, they argued fiercely over the issue of living costs in their country, and also engaged in personal attacks.
Lula was re-elected as president in 2022 and is now seeking a fourth term in office. He defended the government's decision to raise the minimum wage (with an increase higher than inflation), and emphasized that his government has helped millions of Brazilians get rid of hunger.
Lula said that the young Bosonaro is 'like a student preparing for exams, who only memorizes things but doesn't learn anything real.' He also said, 'Bosonaro lives in a closed-up high-class community, where the residents simply don't experience hunger.'
Bosonaro responded by stating that Brazilian food prices have risen during Lula’s tenure in office. He criticized the tax reforms passed by the current government, predicting that the new policies will increase the tax burden on ordinary consumers.
During the debate, Bosonaro mentioned that Lula had only "nine fingers", and also said that he treated Brazil's people as if he were "giving with one hand, while taking away with nine fingers".
In his early years, Lula was working on a lathe in a factory when he suffered an accident and lost his left little finger.
Lula emphasized that he was underage at the time, yet he had to work night shifts because he would die of hunger if he didn’t work. If anyone knew the real situation of workers, it would be him. Bozonaro himself had never actually worked a day; his job was even given to him by his father.
Lula responded, 'I will never accept a controversial wealthy person using the term 'nine fingers' to mock me.'
Lula demanded that the other party retract that statement.
Bosonaro said, 'Lula, if I say that the term 'nine fingers' offended you, I apologize sincerely, I truly do.' But then he asked in return, 'Do you also need to apologize to the Brazilian people who are suffering from deteriorating security and debt problems?'
As the debate enters its final minutes, the session allows the two candidates to engage in free dialogue without being controlled by the host, and the atmosphere at the scene becomes very lively.
This debate is an important event at the end of the campaign period. According to Brazilian electoral laws, starting from Saturday (24th), candidates are no longer allowed to run television and radio advertisements, but campaign rallies can still be held before the end of that day.
