Final Brazilian presidential debate focuses on absent leader

Final Brazilian presidential debate focuses on absent leader | iNFOnews.ca
Guilherme Boulos, presidential candidate of the Socialism and Liberty Party, left, Geraldo Alckmin, presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party, center, and Marina Silva, presidential candidate of the Sustainability Network Party, get ready for a live, televised presidential debate in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Thursday, Oct. 4, 2018. Brazil will hold general elections on Oct. 7. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)

RIO DE JANEIRO – The main target of participants in the final and most-watched presidential debate in Brazil has been the absent front-runner, far-right candidate Jair Bolsonaro.

Bolsonaro skipped the TV Globo debate Thursday, citing doctor’s orders after being stabbed during a campaign event on Sept. 6 and only leaving the hospital on Saturday. Instead, he gave an interview to TV Record at the same time.

Second place candidate Fernando Haddad, who was hand-picked by jailed former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, attacked Bolsonaro’s record as a lawmaker.

Third place Ciro Gomes said the electing the far-right hopeful would be like dancing near an abyss.

Leftist Guilherme Boulos said he feared a new military dictatorship would begin with a Bolsonaro presidency.

Bolsonaro’s support in polls is nearing 40 per cent ahead of Sunday’s election.

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Abbey Westbury

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