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In the first presidential debate on TV, President Jair Bolsonaro (PL) became the preferred target of the other candidates. The current chief executive, in turn, took aim at former president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT), who dodged a question about corruption.
The central theme of the debate was respect for women, an arena in which Bolsonaro operates at a disadvantage. The issue was raised by women candidates, Simone Tebet (MDB) and Soraya Thronicke (União Brasil), but dominated the discussions after an attack by the president on journalist Vera Magalhães.
In addition to Simone and Soraya, Ciro Gomes (PDT) and Lula showed solidarity with Vera. The debate also had the participation of Felipe D’Ávila (Novo).
The event was organized as a pool by Folha, UOL and TVs Bandeirantes e Cultura, and lasted almost three hours. Lula and Bolsonaro were the last to confirm their presence in the debate — after days of uncertainty in the campaigns.
Read more in Folha de S. Paulo
