Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro trade attacks in first runoff debate

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Senator Flávio Bolsonaro held their first face-to-face debate of Brazil’s presidential runoff on October 18, trading personal attacks and accusations a week before voters are due to choose between them. The Band TV broadcast lasted about two hours, according to reports of the event. The debate ranged across public security, health care, the cost of living, public spending and corruption allegations. The candidates challenged each other’s records and made competing claims about their families and political associations. Their exchanges were often personal, with less attention to detailed proposals for governing, according to accounts of the broadcast. On security, Lula criticized Flávio Bolsonaro’s position on a proposed constitutional amendment to expand the federal government’s role, while Flávio faulted spending on Brazil’s public health system and discussed bringing it closer to private-hospital standards. They also disputed the cost of living and government spending. The discussion reflected campaign issues, but the debate itself did not establish the truth of accusations made by either candidate. The runoff follows the October 4...