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Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and right-wing senator Flavio Bolsonaro traded personal attacks during a heated televised debate on October 18, 2026, a week before Brazil's presidential runoff. The two rivals accused each other of lying and corruption while sparring over the economy, security and healthcare ahead of the October 25 vote. The debate underscored the deep polarization surrounding the closely contested election, which pits Lula against a Bolsonaro-aligned challenger in a vote seen as pivotal for Brazil's political direction.