Lula da Silva’s absence marks second and penultimate election debate in Brazil

The absence of former Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva marked the second and penultimate electoral debate between the candidates for Brazil’s presidency, who is the favorite in all polls to win the Oct. 2 election.

Six candidates participated in the debate organized by a media conglomerate.

However, former President Lula da Silva, running for the Workers’ Party (PT, left), was not present, citing scheduling problems and lack of time to prepare for the debate as reasons for his absence.

Current President Jair Bolsonaro, the Liberal Party (PL, right) candidate and Lula’s great rival in these elections, said his absence showed the PT leader’s lack of commitment to the people.

Without Lula da Silva, Bolsonaro has been the focus of criticism from his rivals, who have criticized the government’s cuts to health and education and some of the army’s unjustified spending on condensed milk, Viagra, and prosthetics.

For his part, Bolsonaro defended the current government and the drop in fuel prices and inflation in recent months and highlighted the increase in Auxilio Brasil, economic aid for the poorest.

Saturday’s debate was the penultimate one before the elections.

The next debate will be held next Thursday on the Globo television network.

According to all polls, Lula da Silva, who is receiving between 44 and 47 percent of the vote, is far ahead of Bolsonaro, who is receiving between 31 and 34 percent of the vote.

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