Brazil

Brasília, October 19, 2026. The Brazilian press is reporting on the first face-off between Lula (PT) and Flávio Bolsonaro (PL), held last Sunday, October 18, on the Band, just one week before the second round on October 25. G1 notes that the two men, who were absent from the debates in the first round, discussed security, economy, health, relations with the United States, and the age of majority, while exchanging "accusations and provocations" about corruption.

Veja is the most severe: the candidates left their proposals in the background in favor of the Master case, INSS fraud, and links to militiamen. Mediators Adriana Araújo and Eduardo Oinegue had to stop the clock due to the tumult of an audience composed of guests from both camps. Estadão describes Flávio Bolsonaro walking behind Lula during his final considerations; Folha sees this as a tactic similar to Donald Trump's against Hillary Clinton in 2016. Lula's advisor, Sidônio Palmeira, protested, while elected deputy Lucas Pavanato demanded his expulsion.

On the substance, Flávio Bolsonaro promised to "declare war on narcoterrorism" and classify factions as terrorist organizations; Lula defended the PEC of Public Security and a dedicated ministry, then asked his rival if he would borrow "a chainsaw" from Milei. Checks by Folha and G1 reveal errors on both sides: the "7 billion reais" spent on Janja and Lula's trips are false, Lula is mistaken in saying that the GDP only exceeded 3% upon his return, while the gross debt of 11,100 billion reais, or 82.9% of GDP, is confirmed.

Folha cites Palver: 62% of opinions on WhatsApp give Lula the better rating, against 31% for Flávio, of which 69% of mentions are negative, specifying that this does not measure voting intention. The polls remain tight: Datafolha shows 47% for Flávio and 45% for Lula, Quaest shows 46% against 44%. A Folha survey notes that Lula's lead over the Bolsonaros has decreased in 98% of the municipalities in the Northeast. Upon leaving, a bomb alert targeting Flávio's car led to the evacuation of his team; around 11:40 PM, the Gate of the military police indicated that the alarm was false. A final debate is scheduled on TV Globo on October 23.