Brazil Election: Datafolha Poll Shows 50 Percent Tie

A Datafolha survey published on Thursday indicates that Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and senator Flavio Bolsonaro are now tied at 50 percent each in the presidential runoff. This result erases the four-point lead Bolsonaro held in polls released two weeks earlier, marking a sharp shift in the race heading into Sunday's vote. The data suggests the contest has reached a statistical dead heat, eliminating the earlier advantage the challenger enjoyed after the first round of voting.

The two candidates met for their final debate on Friday in Rio de Janeiro, broadcast by TV Globo. The discussion focused on policy, with both men exchanging questions regarding the economy, infrastructure, and regional development. Although the tone was more diplomatic than their previous meeting on Sunday, the session still featured personal attacks and moments of tension as each side attempted to define the other's record.

Lula criticized Bolsonaro's proposal to cut public spending, comparing the approach to the policies of Argentina's Javier Milei. Bolsonaro countered by suggesting he would face similar challenges in Brazil because the incumbent was leaving the country bankrupt. The senator also accused the president of allowing organized crime to expand and failing to control the high cost of living. Lula responded by questioning his rival's understanding of the country, stating that Bolsonaro did not know what hunger was.

Tensions rose when Bolsonaro used the nickname "Nine Fingers" for Lula, a reference to an accident the 80-year-old president suffered as a metalworker. Lula demanded an apology, which Bolsonaro offered. The president later called his rival a vigilante, citing allegations of ties to paramilitary groups in Rio de Janeiro. Bolsonaro said he would classify such groups as "narcoterrorists".

Another heated exchange involved the mother of a five-year-old killed in a shootout that included a police officer represented by Bolsonaro. The candidate stated he did not believe his client was guilty of the incident. These exchanges underscored the personal nature of the final campaign push, with both men targeting each other's backgrounds and specific incidents.

Bolsonaro finished first in the opening round of voting on October 4, securing 47 percent of the vote compared to Lula's 45 percent. Despite that initial lead, the latest Datafolha numbers show the gap has closed entirely. Both candidates are expected to join supporters in the streets of Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo for their final campaign events before the election on Sunday.