Brazil cancels final presidential debate amid bomb scare

The final presidential debate in Brazil has been cancelled. A bomb scare outside the Supreme Court added to the tension just days before the vote. President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and opposition candidate Flavio Bolsonaro both missed this last chance to argue their cases. Police confirmed no explosives were found after a suspect was arrested for trying to jump court fences and throwing a backpack onto a bus stop. The bag held only personal items, according to military police spokesperson Raphael Broocke.

Lula chose to appear on a popular podcast instead of stepping into the studio. His YouTube channel has millions of subscribers. Meanwhile, Bolsonaro claimed the election court imposed censorship on him. He made this accusation during a live broadcast on Thursday via his social media channels. The right-wing candidate was unhappy about a ruling that barred TV Globo from showing an empty seat for President Lula on stage.

TV Globo stated the event could not go forward due to legal uncertainty created by two rulings. One order came from the country's electoral court, while the other originated from the Supreme Court itself. The debate offered voters one last look at the frontrunners before Sunday polls open. Current projections give President Lula a slight edge in the first round. However, forecasts for a potential runoff on October 25 show the pair remaining neck and neck.

The Supreme Court faces heavy criticism from the political right. This anger stems partly from the 2025 conviction of former leader Jair Bolsonaro regarding a coup plot. The court is also caught up in a fraud scandal that has dominated the final weeks of the campaign. Authorities are keeping the arrested suspect in custody while the investigation continues.