President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Sen. Flavio Bolsonaro used their final televised debate to contest public works and fiscal spending, as a new Datafolha poll put them level before Sunday's runoff.
Datafolha's survey, released Thursday, put both candidates at 50%. An earlier Datafolha poll put Bolsonaro at 47% and Lula at 45%, according to EconoTimes’ earlier coverage. Anadolu Ajansı reported that Bolsonaro led the Oct. 4 first round with 47%, while Lula had 45%, sending both to a runoff.
Bolsonaro said 100,500 construction projects across Brazil were stalled and criticized the government's spending. Lula defended the administration by citing federal funding for highways, tunnels and water-transfer work. He said unfinished projects would be completed.
Bolsonaro also promised to raise the minimum wage and pensions and said he would not privatize Banco do Brasil or Petrobras. Anadolu Ajansı reported that the pledges were aimed at drawing support among middle-class voters.
Lula criticized Bolsonaro for opposing an extension of maternity leave while serving as a Rio de Janeiro state representative. Bolsonaro said he would vote differently now that he had children. He also accused Lula of lenient criminal-justice policies. Lula criticized former President Jair Bolsonaro's handling of the coronavirus pandemic, accusing his administration of disregarding medical advice and citing more than 700,000 deaths.
Anadolu Ajansı reported that TV Globo limited where candidates could stand after Bolsonaro stood behind Lula during an earlier TV Band debate. The outlet also reported that Lula's Workers' Party expanded its “Lula Army” WhatsApp network, which gained more than 1 million followers Friday and reached nearly 10 million subscribers.
Voters will choose between the candidates Sunday, Oct. 25.
