Brazil presidential debate proceeds without frontrunners Lula and Bolsonaro

Brazil's inaugural presidential debate proceeded this Sunday in São Paulo, notably absent were the two leading contenders: incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Senator Flávio Bolsonaro. President Lula da Silva strategically scheduled an interview with a television network to coincide with the debate's broadcast.

Adding to the empty podiums of Lula and Bolsonaro, former Minas Gerais Governor Romeu Zema also withdrew from the debate at the last minute. His campaign cited the absence of the two most prominent candidates as the reason for his decision in an official statement.

With these three significant absences, the event, organized by Grupo Bandeirantes and a consortium of media outlets, featured only half of its intended participants on stage. The candidates present were the far-right contender Renan Santos, conservative former Goiás Governor Ronaldo Caiado, and physician Augusto Cury.

Renan Santos, the first to speak, pointed to the empty podiums of Lula and Bolsonaro, labeling them "criminals" who disrespected "all Brazilians." He asserted, "They keep fighting online... but they are cowards. They didn't come here because they don't have the courage to talk about the crimes they committed."

According to the latest Datafolha poll, Lula leads the presidential race with 39% of voting intentions for the first round, closely followed by Flávio Bolsonaro at 33%. The election is scheduled for October 4.

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The two criminals did not attend the debate and disrespected all Brazilians. They keep fighting online... but they are cowards. They didn't come here because they don't have the courage to talk about the crimes they committed.