Expectation before the first debate with Bolsonaro and Lula in Brazil

First modification: 08/28/2022 – 15:28

It is the first time that the two arch-rivals, central figures in Brazil’s recent history, meet face to face, in what is considered the most polarized election since the return to democracy in 1985.

Lula, 76, a favorite in the polls, confirmed his presence on Saturday.

“See you at the Band (Rede Bandeirantes station) tomorrow at 9:00 pm” (00:00 GMT on Monday), tweeted the leftist, along with an image of a digital calendar with the scheduled commitment.

Far-right Bolsonaro, 67, did not officially confirm his participation, but is also expected to attend, according to campaign sources cited by several local media.

The station reported that “Jair Bolsonaro’s team was at the Band studios (in Sao Paulo) on Saturday to verify the president’s security during the debate.”

Organized by a group of Brazilian media, including Rede Bandeirantes and the Folha de S. Paulo newspaper, the debate is the first on the campaign calendar with a view to the October 2 elections.

Lula, who governed Brazil between 2003 and 2010, leads the electoral race with 47% of the intention to vote against 32% for Bolsonaro, according to a survey by the Datafolha Institute published on August 18. Other polls also place Lula in the lead, although with a smaller advantage.

Other contenders present at the debate

Both candidates will be located side by side during the debate, according to the draw for places made by the organizers.

In addition to Lula and Bolsonaro, the meeting hopes to bring together four other candidates, including former Finance Minister Ciro Gomes (PDT, center-left); and Senator Simone Tebet (MDB, center), third (7%) and fourth (2%) in the polls.

Over three hours, the applicants will answer questions from the moderators, from a group of journalists, and will be able to question their opponents.

On Friday, Bolsonaro said he should “be” in the debate, although he feared becoming a favorite target of his opponents.

“At one point I thought I shouldn’t go, now I think I should. I’m going to be shot, they’re going to shoot me all the time (…) but I think my strategy is going to work,” the president said in an interview with the radio. Young Pan.

For security reasons, there will be no spectators in the studio.

In 2018, when he won the elections, Bolsonaro participated only in the first two presidential debates. With a month to go before the first round, he was stabbed during a campaign rally and after undergoing surgery, he did not debate again.

Neither Lula nor former Brazilian President Fernando Henrique Cardoso (PSDB, center) participated in debates before the first round when they sought re-election in 2006 and 1998, respectively.