Bolsonaro's Four-Point Edge Vanishes as Lula and Rival Enter Sunday Vote in Dead Heat

The race for Brazil's presidency is deadlocked ahead of Sunday's runoff vote.

A survey by the Datafolha institute, published on Thursday, places President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Senator Flavio Bolsonaro at 50 percent each. This result erases the four-point lead Bolsonaro held in polls released two weeks prior. In the opening round of voting on October 4, Bolsonaro finished first with 47 percent, while Lula secured 45 percent.

The candidates faced off for the final time on Friday in Rio de Janeiro. The debate was broadcast on TV Globo and marked the last major campaign event before the election. While the exchange was more diplomatic than their first meeting on Sunday, it featured sharp policy clashes and personal jabs.

Lula, Brazil's first working-class president, attacked his opponent's plan to cut public spending. He compared Bolsonaro's approach to the "chainsaw" tactics used by Argentina's libertarian President Javier Milei. Bolsonaro countered that he would have the same job as Milei because Lula is leaving the country bankrupt. The senator also accused the incumbent of allowing organized crime to expand and failing to control the cost of living. Lula responded by questioning Bolsonaro's experience, stating that his rival does not know what hunger is or truly understand Brazil.

Tensions rose during specific exchanges. Bolsonaro used the pejorative nickname "Nine Fingers" for Lula, a reference to an accident the 80-year-old president suffered while working as a metalworker. Lula demanded an apology, which Bolsonaro offered. In another moment, Lula called Bolsonaro a vigilante, citing allegations of ties to paramilitary groups in Rio de Janeiro. Bolsonaro replied that he would classify such groups as narcoterrorists. A third heated discussion centered on the mother of a five-year-old killed in a shootout involving a police officer represented by Bolsonaro. The senator maintained that he does not believe his client was guilty.

Both candidates are scheduled to join supporters in the streets of Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo for their final campaign push. They will spend the weekend rallying voters before heading to the polls on Sunday.