Brazil Court Rulings and Debate Absence Shape Election Race

In Brazil in October 2026, decisions by the TSE and STF courts and Lula's absence from a Globo debate shaped the election campaign. Lula said he skipped the Globo debate because "people start making jokes," and criticized the debate format in a podcast while defending Dino's work at the STF. Flávio Bolsonaro promised to loosen environmental laws as he sought votes, and the Federal Police investigated a loan he received from BRB to buy a mansion worth 6 million reais. FHC's daughter declared her vote for Lula, citing the defense of democracy.