Brazil's Lula, Bolsonaro clash in bitter debate ahead of election runoff

Firing off personal attacks, Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and right-wing senator Flavio Bolsonaro held an acrimonious first debate Sunday, a week before a tight presidential election runoff.

A chaotic exchange between the two men, who called each other liars on multiple occasions, accusing each other of corruption and dragging up various scandals, encapsulated the tone of a bitter election campaign in the deeply polarised nation.

Bolsonaro, 45, son of the far-right former president Jair Bolsonaro, secured a shock first-round lead over Lula earlier this month and polls predict a close battle for the runoff on October 25.

The two men sparred over the economy, public security, healthcare, corruption, and Brazil's ties to the United States.

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"Brazil is going to retire you," fired off Bolsonaro, seeking to unnerve his adversary by pacing up and down behind him throughout the debate in view of the camera, shaking his head, smirking and scoffing while his adversary spoke.

Lula called Bolsonaro "a habitual liar, a thug," and said he did not want to stand close to a "militiaman," alluding to his alleged ties to Rio de Janeiro's paramilitary groups.

Bolsonaro, who made several jabs about Lula's time jailed for corruption on charges that were later annulled, retorted that it was better he stay at a distance "because my wallet could be stolen."

Lula, who at almost 81 is seeking a fourth term in power, battled to control his irritation at times and repeatedly asked viewers to "look it up on Google" to prove his adversary was lying.

While Bolsonaro has led in polls since the first round, his edge slightly narrowed in two polls this week which showed him with 51 percent of voting intentions compared to 49 percent for Lula.

Read moreLula's party to file complaint against Meta over Brazil election interference

'Subservient' to US interests 

Bolsonaro hammered away at the primary concerns of Brazilians -- such as the cost of living and insecurity -- and accused Lula of "reckless spending to get re-elected" due to various social measures he has announced while campaigning.

Lula countered by asking Bolsonaro about his plans to emulate the drastic "chainsaw" cuts to public spending implemented by Argentina's libertarian President Javier Milei, which led to higher unemployment and cuts to benefits.

Throughout the debate, Bolsonaro dodged the question and pivoted to different topics.

Lula questioned the right winger's his ties to US President Donald Trump -- an ally of the Bolsonaro family -- and plans to "hand over" Brazil's rare earth minerals.

"It is striking how the Bolsonaro family is subservient to American interests," said Lula.

Former president Jair Bolsonaro came up several times, including when his son asked Lula why so many prisoners had supported him in the election.

Lula said he wanted all of their votes, including that of Jair Bolsonaro -- who is currently serving a 27-year sentence under house arrest for a botched coup bid after his failed 2022 re-election bid.

"Vote for me, Bolsonaro, you know your son, you know I'm better than him."

Read moreIn Brazil, thousands march fearing return of Bolsonaro presidency

' A state of calamity' 

Ahead of the showdown, tens of thousands of supporters of Lula and Bolsonaro gathered in cities around the country.

In Sao Paulo, a sea of people dressed in the yellow and green of the Brazilian flag rallied for Flavio Bolsonaro, who made his way down Paulista Avenue on the back of a truck.

"The country is in a state of calamity. To make ends meet or buy anything, you have to work two or three jobs just to pay the bills," said Sara Machado, 36, wearing a T-shirt with the slogan: "Right-wing. With pride."

The rally drew about 71,000 people, according to monitors at the University of Sao Paulo (USP).

Read moreBrazil's Flavio Bolsonaro wins support of third-place candidate in presidential race

Swimmers and singers for Lula 

In Rio de Janeiro, swimmers at Praia Vermelha beach synchronized in the water to spell out Lula's name with their bodies.

Later, on Copacabana Beach, iconic octogenarian singer Caetano Veloso led a "rally for democracy" in favor of the president, which USP monitors said drew some 56,000 people.

Fabiana Leite, a 51-year-old nurse and social worker, said Lula's social welfare programs saved her after she was wrongly incarcerated, lost custody of her daughters, and had to rebuild her life after being freed.

"You might have the desire to fight and to grow, but without the means, without social programs, it's just not possible. That is why I am here, continuing the fight," she told AFP.