BRASÍLIA, Brazil — President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has agreed to expanded conditions set by his right-wing challenger, Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, for both men to open their personal bank, tax and phone records ahead of Sunday’s presidential run-off, Al Jazeera reported, citing Reuters.
Lula offered on Tuesday to release his and his family’s records if Bolsonaro did the same. Bolsonaro’s campaign answered that it would comply only if Lula also disclosed records of his advisers and security staff and of companies held by his children. Senator Camilo Santana, speaking for Lula’s campaign, said the president had accepted and would file a formal response with the electoral court on Thursday, according to Al Jazeera.
The records fight comes as both campaigns navigate the fallout of a corruption scandal around banker Daniel Vorcaro. Bolsonaro is under investigation over an investment he allegedly sought from Vorcaro and denies wrongdoing. Lula’s sons are also under investigation in separate cases, which they deny.
Bolsonaro, son of former President Jair Bolsonaro — who is serving a sentence of more than 20 years for plotting a coup — narrowly beat Lula in the Oct. 4 first round, and polls show the two neck and neck, BBC News reported. A record 21% of eligible voters stayed home in the first round despite compulsory voting.
Lula, who turns 81 two days after the vote, has cast the race as a “battle for democracy” and is courting older voters, Reuters reported. Bolsonaro is campaigning on crime and closer ties with the Trump administration.
Sources: Al Jazeera, BBC News, Reuters
—
