Brazilian broadcasters cancel debates after Lula, Flávio Bolsonaro and Tarcísio decline to confirm attendance

A major Brazilian media consortium cancelled two election debates after some of the country’s leading candidates failed to confirm they would attend.

The presidential debate had been scheduled for September 14, while the debate for the São Paulo governor’s race was set for September 18. The consortium had given invited candidates until September 7 to confirm their participation. Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Flávio Bolsonaro did not confirm for the presidential event, while São Paulo Governor Tarcísio de Freitas did not confirm for the state debate.

The group, known as O Momento da Decisão, includes CNN Brasil, Exame, Metrópoles, Nova Brasil FM, Rádio Itatiaia, RedeTV!, Rede Vida, SBT, SBT News, Terra and Veja. It described the partnership as the largest ever formed by Brazilian media outlets to organize election debates.

August 23’s first presidential debate of the 2026 election drew only three participants: Ronaldo Caiado, Renan Santos and Augusto Cury. Romeu Zema had also withdrawn, citing the absence of Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro, who lead the polls. The turnout was the lowest for an opening presidential debate since broadcasters began holding such events in 1989.

In a statement, the consortium said, “The decision does not alter our conviction that election debates are fundamental instruments of the democratic process, allowing voters to learn about and directly compare the candidates’ proposals, positions and visions in a common environment subject to the same rules.” The article notes that Brazil’s only presidential election without a debate since redemocratization was in 1998, when then-President Fernando Henrique Cardoso declined to participate.

“

The decision does not alter our conviction that election debates are fundamental instruments of the democratic process, allowing voters to learn about and directly compare the candidates’ proposals, positions and visions in a common environment subject to the same rules.