Brazil's presidential debate held without jailed Lula

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Brazil's presidential candidates held their first debate Thursday ahead of October's election, but jailed former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was not allowed to participate despite leading in the polls.

Serving a 12-year sentence for corruption though, Lula is still extremely popular among Brazilians at present.

Lula's trial: Jail or presidency

Aug. 7, 2018: An image of former Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is displayed during a press conference in Sao Paulo, Brazil. /VCG Photo

Conservative Jair Bolsonaro, second in pre-election polls, was the main target of debaters during the encounter which took place 59 days before the first round of voting.

Bolsonaro's next biggest rivals are center-right former Sao Paulo governor Geraldo Alckmin and environmentalist Marina Silva.

Alckmin, who wants to be seen as the calm, authoritative, pro-business candidate, stressed the need for market reforms so that the economy can "grow and grow strongly."

While Silva scored a point likely to have gone down well with voters angry at the ruling establishment when she said "those who created the problems won't solve the problems."

The clash the candidates made during the debate showcased sharp divides within the nation, which got stuck in severe recession, violent crime and corruption.

(Cover: Brazilian presidential candidates (top L-R) Alvaro Dias (Podemos), Marina Silva (Rede), Guilherme Boulos (PSOL), Henrique Meirelles (MDB) and (bottom L-R) Cabo Daciolo (Patriota), Geraldo Alkmin (PSDB), Ciro Gomes (PDT) and Jair Bolsonaro (PSL) participate in the first presidential debate ahead of the October 7 general election in Sao Paulo, Brazil, August 9, 2018. /VCG Photo)

Source(s): AP ,AFP