Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro change strategies for final debate; see what each one prepares

The campaigns of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) and Senator Flávio Bolsonaro (PL) intensified preparations for the last presidential debate of the 2026 elections. The meeting will take place on Friday (23) at 9:20 p.m. at TV Globo, and represents one of the last opportunities for candidates to win votes before the second round, scheduled for Sunday (25).

Behind the scenes, the guidelines are different. While Flávio Bolsonaro received recommendations to adopt a more technical stance and present concrete solutions to the country’s problems, Lula was advised to highlight the achievements of his governments, maintain calm and avoid provocations.

The information on the preparation of the candidates was released by the journalist Tainá Falcão, of CNN Brazil, on Friday (23).

Flávio Bolsonaro is charged for more technical posture

The preparation of Flávio Bolsonaro counts on the participation of the governor of São Paulo, Tarcísio de Freitas (Republicans), who has been charging changes in the position of the candidate in relation to the previous debate, held by the Band. According to CNN Brazil, allies assessed that the senator was repetitive during the first confrontation, stopped exploring points considered vulnerable by the Lula government and failed to deepen discussions on economy and public security.

For Friday’s debate, the guidance is that Flavio demonstrates greater mastery of matters and can objectively explain what measures he intends to take if elected president. In the economic area, the candidate must defend a debt renegotiation program, with reduced interest and extended payment deadlines.

Another proposal that should gain prominence is the so-called "shore" in the federal administrative structure, with the promise of extinguishing at least ten ministries. In public safety, Flávio intends to strengthen the defense of the reduction of the penal age to 16 years and the framing of criminal factions as narco-terrorist organizations.

In addition to Tarcísio, names such as Duda Lima, Fábio Portela and the communication consultant Mário Rosa, specialist in crisis management, participate in the preparation.

The training also includes possible questions about the senator’s relationships with characters involved in investigations. Among the subjects mentioned by the report are his connections with lawyer Willer Tomaz and banker Daniel Vorcaro. The suspects investigated do not, in themselves, constitute proof of irregularities.

Lula is oriented to avoid provocations and highlight achievements

On the other side of the dispute, Lula’s campaign works to ensure that the president maintains a calm posture and values the experience accumulated during his terms. The main recommendation is to avoid that the meeting turns into a sequence of personal attacks, as happened at certain moments of the previous debate.

The allies argue that Lula should focus his responses on the social policies implemented by the petist governments and on proposals for a possible new mandate. Among the subjects considered priority are the cost of living, the generation of income, the social benefits and the economic measures adopted by the government.

The president spent Thursday (22) participating in trainings with members of the campaign, among them Senator Camilo Santana, the governor of Piauí, Rafael Fonteles, Minister Sidônio Palmeira and journalist Olga Curado. During the preparation, questions were simulated about the economy, public safety, social programs and themes potentially explored by the adversary.

The team also worked on answers to questions related to the lobbyist Roberta Luchsinger, cited in investigations conducted by the Federal Police. The guidance would be to recognize the existence of the investigation, without deepening the subject. Despite preparing questions about controversies involving Flávio Bolsonaro, allies assess that Lula tends to prefer direct criticism of the opponent rather than citing other characters nominally.

Economy and security must dominate confrontation

The strategies of the two campaigns indicate that economy, household debt, cost of living and public security will be among the main topics of the debate. Flávio Bolsonaro will try to present alternatives to the current federal administration, while Lula will have to defend the results of his actions and sustain the continuity of public policies.

The confrontation will also be an opportunity for voters to compare the candidates’ proposals and assess how each one intends to face the country’s challenges.

The last debate takes place at 9:20 p.m.

The presidential debate will be held on Friday (23), at Estúdios Globo, in Rio de Janeiro, with the mediation of journalist César Tralli. The broadcast begins at 9:20 pm, just after the Jornal Nacional, and will feature four blocks of questions and answers, in addition to the final considerations.

In the first three blocks, the candidate who is with the word will be able to move through the scenario, while the opponent must remain in his pulpit. The last block will be a free theme. The program will also include checking the statements of the candidates for the vehicles of the Globo Group.

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The meeting takes place just two days before the second round of the presidential elections, when Brazilians will decide who will govern the country for the next four years.