Debate Lula and Flávio has attacks and economic rivalry

The first block of the debate between President Lula (PT) and Senator Flávio Bolsonaro (PL) was marked by intense economic dispute and exchange of personal attacks. The confrontation, held on Wednesday night (23), addressed issues such as infrastructure, cost of living, agribusiness and social policies, with provocations from both sides.

Infrastructure opens up confrontation

Flavio opened the confrontation by questioning Lula’s ability to complete infrastructure works. The senator cited surveys on stalled ventures and asked how the president would be able to deliver the projects if he did not do so over the course of four years in office.

Lula rebates, cites investments from the Growth Acceleration Program (PAC) and lists works in progress. In the reply, the petista compared the opponent to students who decorate the content for a test, but do not actually learn. The discussion continued for the economy, focusing on the purchasing power of Brazilians.

Minimum wage and agribusiness on the agenda

The clash over the economy gained strength when Flávio questioned the purchasing power of Brazilians. “Today is October 23, the month is not over. Is your salary over?" the senator asked, criticizing food prices, taxes and public spending.

Lula defended the policy of valuing the minimum wage of the petista governments and questioned the adversary on the possibility of readjusting the benefits above inflation. Candidates also differed on agribusiness. Flávio criticised the rural financing conditions and the conduct of the Plano Safra. The petista, for his part, defended the resources destined for agribusiness and attacked the position of the adversary towards the president of the Estados Unidos, Donald Trump.

“When my opponent was licking Trump’s boots to tax Brazil, I wasn’t worried,” Lula said, defending the opening of new markets for Brazilian products.

Proposals compared to Milei

In the discussion on salaries and retirements, Lula compared Flavio’s proposals to the measures adopted by the Argentine president Javier Milei. The senator said he intends to readjust the minimum wage and pensions above inflation and accused the government of raising public spending.

President Lula mentioned investments in health, roads, ports and airports and criticized the environmental performance of the government of Jair Bolsonaro. In the debate on the Northeast, Lula questioned what Flavio intends to do for the region. Flávio replied that he intends to act in partnership with governors, including those who do not integrate his political base, and placed public security among the priorities. The senator accused Northeastern state governments linked to the PT of allowing the advancement of organized crime.

Social policies and provocation

After a first block focused on economy, cost of living and infrastructure, Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro took the confrontation to social policies. The discussion began with maternity leave and progressed to Bolsa Família, the population in street situations and violence against women.

The main clash in this round was around the expression "nine fingers", used by the senator to refer to the president. Lula reacted to the provocation, charged an apology and said that the speech disrespected workers who suffered work accidents. The confrontation began when Lula questioned Flavio’s vote against the increase in maternity leave, during the period when the senator was a state deputy in Rio de Janeiro. Flávio acknowledged that he had changed his mind on the subject.

"I was wrong. Today, after I got married, after I have two daughters, more than ever I know the importance of the mother being close to the son for up to more than 180 days, if possible.

Health and pandemic raise accusations

In the discussion on public health, Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro exchanged accusations about the management of the Covid-19 pandemic and the functioning of the Unified Health System (SUS). “You get to a hospital and you line up for everything,” the senator said. He also questioned the waiting time for the care of children with disabilities and said that the resources allocated to health are "misapplied".

Lula rebuffed the criticism and defended the role of the SUS during the pandemic. The president blamed the Bolsonaro government for the deaths from Covid-19 and said that the public health system prevented the number of victims from being even greater.

Indebtedness and closing

The indebtedness of Brazilians was the theme chosen by Flávio Bolsonaro to open the third block of the debate. The senator accused President Lula of aggravating the financial situation of families with public spending and high interest rates. "The Brazilian once parceled a stove, parceled a microwave, parceled the refrigerator, now parcels what has inside the refrigerator," said the senator, questioning the loss of purchasing power and the increase in debt of families.

The debate was attended by guests of the candidates. Flávio Bolsonaro (PL) was accompanied by Fernanda Bolsonaro, the candidate’s wife; Daniella Marques, the campaign’s economic advisor; and Carlos Bolsonaro (PL-SC), the senator’s brother and senator elected by Santa Catarina. Lula (PT) was joined by Janja Lula da Silva, first lady; Camilo Santana (PT-CE), senator; and Sidônio Palmeira, minister of the Secretariat of Social Communication.

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