Tarcísio and Haddad Clash Over Fiscal Policy, Crime, and Education in São Paulo Debate

São Paulo Governor Tarcísio de Freitas and former Finance Minister Fernando Haddad faced off in a televised Globo debate on September 29, dominating exchanges with fiscal arguments and mutual accusations regarding organized crime ties. Tarcísio cited recent corporate bankruptcies to argue for federal fiscal adjustment, while Haddad countered by referencing a near R$200 billion deficit left by the previous administration and accused Tarcísio of turning a R$22 billion state surplus into a R$5 billion deficit.

The candidates traded barbs over criminal faction infiltration. Haddad alleged the Comando Vermelho is advancing in the state, citing arrests in Praia Grande, while Tarcísio responded by highlighting Haddad's past appearance with a PCC-linked leader and the arrest of PT councilman Senival Moura. Haddad also criticized Tarcísio for seeking votes from the family of former councilman Milton Leite, arrested for alleged faction ties.

“You picked up a cash box with R$ 22 billion and are delivering it with R$ 5 billion. This is data from Folha de S.Paulo, from his own government's Finance Secretary.”

On education, Tarcísio brandished the federal "Gold Seal" for literacy awarded to São Paulo in March 2025. Haddad dismissed the award as an unknown title, questioning state literacy rates below the national average. The debate also featured clashes over public transport investments and Haddad's accusation that Tarcísio maintains a "secret budget" via opaque tax benefits, a claim referencing the State Court of Accounts.