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Lula Skips Final Debate After Court Bars Empty Seat

By Drooid · Oct 2, 2026, 10:23 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Lula, Bolsonaro Skip Debate

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva declined to attend Brazil’s final presidential debate.
Senator Flávio Bolsonaro also declined, alleging electoral court censorship of the broadcast.
TV Globo cancelled the debate after court rulings barred an empty seat for Lula.
A Datafolha poll on Thursday gave Lula 42% and Bolsonaro 38% support.
Police dismissed a bomb threat outside the Supreme Court and arrested a suspect carrying only belongings.

Summary

Moraes Accused Corruption

Justice Alexandre de Moraes faced allegations after text messages with imprisoned banker Daniel Vorcaro suggested improper influence.
Vorcaro allegedly paid large sums to Moraes’s wife’s law firm, raising concerns of judicial corruption.
Justice André Mendonça disclosed the scandal, intensifying public distrust in Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court.
Flávio Bolsonaro was linked to Vorcaro through financing a $24 million film about Jair Bolsonaro, sparking speculation of misuse.

History

Historical Context

Operation Car Wash began in March 2014 when federal police uncovered a money-laundering scheme at a Brasília car wash, leading judge Sergio Moro and the Federal Police to serve more than a thousand warrants and arrest over 200 suspects, including Petrobras executives and former president Luiz Inácio Lula. The probe’s legacy of judiciary-politics clashes frames today’s debate boycott involving Lula, Senator Flávio Bolsonaro and allegations against Justice Alexandre de Moraes.

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Lula, Bolsonaro Skip Debate

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva declined to attend Brazil’s final presidential debate.
Senator Flávio Bolsonaro also declined, alleging electoral court censorship of the broadcast.
TV Globo cancelled the debate after court rulings barred an empty seat for Lula.
A Datafolha poll on Thursday gave Lula 42% and Bolsonaro 38% support.
Police dismissed a bomb threat outside the Supreme Court and arrested a suspect carrying only belongings.

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