Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro Clash in First Debate Before Brazil’s Runoff

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Senator Flávio Bolsonaro exchanged accusations in their first presidential-runoff debate in São Paulo on Sunday night, October 18. The candidates debated corruption, public security, national sovereignty and relations with the United States. Lula challenged Flávio to disclose banking and telephone records and questioned his family’s ties to the US administration, raising concerns about Brazil’s strategic minerals. Flávio did not accept the disclosure challenge, denied intending to hand over national resources and said his US visits sought to defend Brazilian companies and products against trade tariffs.