Lula vs. Bolsonaro: No touching is permitted in today's last debate
This evening, Brazil will hold its breath. Lula and Bolsonaro will debate in the studios of the influential TV Globo. Both will be subject to a veto: they are not allowed to come close to one another
In Brazil, presidential debates have virtually become an institution. At these events, the media asserts its influence and holds candidates to a set of standards and limitations that are unusual for them. When time runs out, the microphone is turned off, they refer to "candidate Bolsonaro" rather than "president," and an ad hoc committee decides whether to accept or deny requests for rebuttals.