Lula narrows gap with Flavio Bolsonaro ahead of Brazil runoff

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and right-wing senator Flavio Bolsonaro will face each other in their first televised debate on Sunday evening, one week before the October 25 runoff.

Flavio Bolsonaro, 45, leads voting intentions with 51 percent compared to 49 percent for Lula, according to two polls this week. Datafolha reported that Lula reduced the gap from four points to two points in one week.

“The candidacy of Lula continues in the race and the election is far from being defined, as many imagined after the first round.”

Lula, who turns 81 soon, has shaken up his campaign after calling it the most disorganised of his political career. He enlisted young leftist influencers and began shooting video selfies to connect with voters.

The left has held demonstrations in major Brazilian cities under the slogan Never Again Bolsonaro. In Rio de Janeiro, singer Caetano Veloso and dozens of artists called a rally for democracy on Copacabana beach.

Lula accused Meta of interference by restricting his content on Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp. His campaign coalition asked electoral prosecutors and police to investigate.

Congress approved a constitutional reform granting two paid rest days per week instead of one, benefiting 14 million Brazilians. Flavio Bolsonaro voted in favour after previously opposing the measure.

Lula also announced debt forgiveness for microentrepreneurs, a university scholarship fund, fuel tax elimination and free public transport.