Brazil: Judicial intervention in TV debate sparks controversy before Lula-Bolsonaro election

Two days before Brazil's presidential election, the judiciary faces criticism for intervening in the final TV debate planned before the vote. Three Brazilian media associations on Friday voiced their "deep indignation over judicial interference in previously established rules." Globo, the broadcaster, canceled the debate following two last-minute court decisions.

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva had previously stated he would not participate in Thursday evening's debate. At the request of Lula's supporters, the electoral court hours before the event prohibited Globo from showing an empty seat for the absent president or allowing other candidates to direct questions to Lula.

A Supreme Court justice also ordered the inclusion of Renan Santos from the new Missao Party, who had not been invited earlier. Flávio Bolsonaro, Lula's main opponent, subsequently withdrew, citing "censorship." Globo canceled the entire debate, citing "legal uncertainty" and "inappropriate interference."

"Unfortunately, judicial overreach has trampled on citizens' right to hear the candidates' proposals," stated the three media associations. In a commentary, the newspaper "Folha de S. Paulo" described it as a "desperate attempt to favor the incumbent."

Lula instead appeared on a podcast. He saw no point in debating someone as "unqualified" as Flávio Bolsonaro, said the 80-year-old. Bolsonaro, 45, has been a senator since 2019 and is the son of the imprisoned far-right ex-president Jair Bolsonaro.

Lula is running for a fourth, non-consecutive term. Polls show him and Flávio Bolsonaro in a close race before the first round. If no candidate secures more than half of the valid votes on Sunday, a runoff election will be held on October 25.

Additional unrest arose Friday with the US decision to suspend consular services in Brazil due to "security concerns." Following searches for potential threats against US facilities, the Brazilian police stated they had found no evidence confirming the reported risks.

US President Donald Trump stated Friday he is "watching the election very closely." Lula had repeatedly urged Trump during the campaign not to interfere in Brazil's election.