DOMINANT ANGLE
Rome is first and foremost focused on the spectacle of a duel without proposals: just one week away from the runoff, the Italian press describes two candidates who are complete opposites, from their style to their family affairs.
Dominant angle identified — does not reflect unanimity of this country’s media
KEY POINTS
- 01
Flávio Bolsonaro, 45, won the first round on October 4 with 47% against 45% for Lula, 80 years old (Adnkronos).
- 02
Lula wanted to "distance himself from a miliciano"; Flávio Bolsonaro showed the word "corrompu" written on his palm (Adnkronos).
- 03
Flávio Bolsonaro attacked Lulinha, Lula's son, who is the target of three investigations; Lula mentioned banker Vorcaro, imprisoned for bankruptcy (ANSA).
ANALYSIS
Rome, October 19, 2026. For the ANSA agency as for Adnkronos, the first debate between Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Flávio Bolsonaro, held last Sunday, October 18, in the studios of the Band channel in São Paulo, was more of a personal duel than a confrontation of programs. Adnkronos summarizes: "insults took precedence over proposals." The two candidates exchanged "a barrage of insults and accusations" just a week before the runoff.
Adnkronos recalls the context: against the polls, Senator Bolsonaro, 45, won the first round on October 4 with 47% of the vote, against 45% for Lula, who at 80 is seeking a fourth non-consecutive term. The agency notes several notable scenes: Lula, wearing a tie in the colors of Brazil, ostentatiously distanced himself from his opponent to "take his distance from a miliciano," alluding to Flávio Bolsonaro's supposed links with paramilitary groups in Rio. The latter retorted by showing the word "corrupt" written on his palm, a reference to Lula's conviction, which was later annulled, and which had landed him in prison in 2018-2019.
ANSA emphasizes the contrast between the personalities. Lula, who will soon be 81, appears "more presidential" in a dark gray suit; his rival, 35 years his junior, is more relaxed, without a tie, and walks behind him while he addresses the camera, which Lula's team contested live. The agency describes Lula as "detached, direct, assertive to the point of arrogance" and Flávio as "more ardent, passionate, often less precise, but perhaps more empathetic."
The first confrontation focused on family scandals. Flávio Bolsonaro attacked Lula's son, nicknamed Lulinha, who is the subject of three investigations; the outgoing president responded that the justice system was handling it, before recalling the Bolsonaro family's links to banker Vorcaro, who was imprisoned for bankruptcy, and mentioning his brother Eduardo, "fled to America." ANSA also notes that corruption, security, and economy structured the evening, which ended in a climate of near-brawl between the two teams, after more than an hour and a half of continuous interruptions.
The two agencies leave little room for the substance of the programs: the Italian press retains above all the open hostility between the two neck-and-neck camps, and the spectacular dimension of an election set for October 25.
