Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro hold first presidential debate ahead of runoff

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Senator Flávio Bolsonaro faced each other on Sunday evening in their first televised debate of the 2026 presidential runoff campaign. The Band network hosted the roughly two-hour encounter in São Paulo, moderated by Adriana Araújo and Eduardo Oinegue.

The debate took place one week before the second round on October 25, after both candidates had skipped the first-round debates. Lula confirmed his attendance and challenged his rival to show up, while Flávio Bolsonaro initially said he would not attend before announcing he would participate.

“Lula called for fighting organized crime "from the corner to the top floor," including the rich who operate from condominiums.”

Earlier on Sunday, supporters of both candidates demonstrated across Brazil. Pro-Bolsonaro crowds filled Avenida Paulista in São Paulo, while pro-Lula rallies took place in Brasília, Copacabana and Salvador. Flávio Bolsonaro appeared at the Paulista event alongside Tarcísio de Freitas, Ricardo Nunes and Nikolas Ferreira.

In the first round on October 4, Flávio Bolsonaro finished with about 47 percent of valid votes against 45 percent for Lula, leaving a tight race for the runoff. Both candidates are seeking to win over the 33 million eligible voters who stayed home in the first round.

During the debate, Lula called for approval of his Public Security constitutional amendment and tied creation of a new Public Security Ministry to Senate passage of the proposal. Flávio Bolsonaro promised to declare war on drug trafficking.