A Datafolha poll published Thursday put President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro at 50% apiece among valid votes, three days before Sunday's runoff.
Brazil's Superior Electoral Court (TSE) reported that Bolsonaro won 47.03% of valid votes in the Oct. 4 first round, while Lula received 45.16%. The court's tally set up the Oct. 25 runoff between them. Datafolha's even result came three days before voters were due to return to the polls.
The TV Globo debate Friday returned to a vote Flávio cast as a Rio de Janeiro state deputy against extending maternity leave, MercoPress reported. Lula questioned him about it; Flávio called his earlier position a mistake and said he would vote differently now that he has children. Lula replied that Flávio had an opportunity to support the extension at the time.
Flávio also apologized for using a nickname about Lula's missing finger, which Lula lost in a workplace accident. He apologized twice to Lula during the debate. Lula also raised Flávio's earlier disparaging reference to Bolsa Família.
The candidates debated the cost of living and public debt. Flávio promised tax cuts and increases to the minimum wage and pensions above inflation, while saying he would not privatize Petrobras or Banco do Brasil. Lula defended investment in infrastructure and in the Northeast, and recalled oxygen shortages at hospitals in Manaus during the pandemic.
Lula compared Flávio's proposals with those of Argentina's government. Flávio countered that left-wing rule had damaged Argentina and cited 200% inflation at the start of President Javier Milei's administration. He also sought support in the Northeast, saying, “I will be the most northeastern carioca you have ever seen.”
TV Globo's debate rules barred candidates from entering each other's space, following a request from Lula's campaign after the first encounter. Brazil's runoff vote is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 25.
