Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro Back Above-Inflation Wage Rises in Final Debate

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Senator Flávio Bolsonaro backed minimum-wage increases above inflation during their final televised debate on October 23 before Brazil’s October 25 presidential runoff. Lula defended the policy of real wage increases adopted under Workers’ Party governments and said he intended to continue raising the minimum wage. Flávio promised above-inflation increases if elected and criticized household indebtedness, taxes and high interest rates. The candidates disputed economic policy and purchasing power at the debate in Rio de Janeiro; neither announced an exact percentage increase in the exchange.