São Paulo (Brazil), 24 Oct. (LaPresse/AP) – Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and his challenger Flavio Bolsonaro faced off in their second and final debate ahead of Sunday’s presidential run-off. The debate, broadcast on TV Globo, Brazil’s most popular channel, lasted two hours and gave the candidates the opportunity to discuss their manifestos face to face. Five days ago, the two had exchanged barbs and accusations. The debate featured three tense moments. The son of former President Jair Bolsonaro called Lula ‘nine fingers’, a nickname used by many of his supporters that refers to an accident the Brazilian president suffered whilst working as a metalworker. The 80-year-old leader demanded an apology, which Bolsonaro provided. “He’ll have to apologise. Because the workers are watching. Millions of workers suffer accidents because of employers’ irresponsibility. They are forced to work shifts that we shouldn’t have to work,” said Lula. “I was a minor and working at night” when the accident happened. “If I offended you by calling you ‘nine fingers’, I sincerely apologise. I didn’t mean to offend you,” replied Bolsonaro.
Brazil: final Lula-Bolsonaro TV debate, tense moments and a clash over the economy
São Paulo (Brazil), 24 Oct. (LaPresse/AP) – Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and his challenger Flavio Bolsonaro faced off in their second and final debate ahead of Sunday’s presidential run-off. The debate, broadcast on TV Globo, Brazil’s most popular channel, lasted two hours and gave the candidates the opportunity to discuss their manifestos face to face. Five days ago, the two had exchanged barbs and accusations. The debate featured three tense moments. The son of former President Jair Bolsonaro called Lula ‘nine fingers’, a nickname used by many of his supporters that refers to an accident the Brazilian president suffered whilst working as a metalworker. The 80-year-old leader demanded an apology, which Bolsonaro provided. “He’ll have to apologise. Because the workers are watching. Millions of workers suffer accidents because of employers’ irresponsibility. They are forced to work shifts that we shouldn’t have to work,” said Lula. “I was a minor and working at night” when the accident happened. “If I offended you by calling you ‘nine fingers’, I sincerely apologise. I didn’t mean to offend you,” replied Bolsonaro.