# Brazilian election debate cancellations

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/brazilian-election-debate-cancellations
> Updated: 2026-09-28T20:04:00.000Z. Sources: 21. Developments: 3.

Major media organizations in Brazil have canceled scheduled election debates due to the refusal of frontrunning candidates to participate. On September 9, the media consortium ‘O Momento da Decisão’ suspended presidential and São Paulo gubernatorial debates after Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Flávio Bolsonaro failed to confirm their attendance by the required deadline. While other candidates such as Ronaldo Caiado and Fernando Haddad had accepted, the group determined the absence of the leading candidates necessitated the cancellation. Caiado characterized the situation as a ‘blow to Brazilian democracy.’ Following this, the broadcaster Record canceled its scheduled first-round presidential debate. The network stated that a debate held near the election must facilitate a direct confrontation of primary proposals, which would be impossible without the two candidates holding the majority of voter intentions. Record indicated it may hold a new debate on October 11 if the election reaches a second round. By September 23, additional media coalitions involving SBT, CNN Brasil, and RedeTV! also canceled scheduled debates due to the lack of confirmation from the leading candidates. As the TV Globo debate scheduled for October 1 approaches, the Lula campaign has expressed uncertainty regarding participation. Marco Aurélio de Carvalho, the campaign coordinator in São Paulo, stated there is ‘no reason’ for Lula to participate in a debate against Flávio Bolsonaro. Conversely, Flávio Bolsonaro has confirmed his intention to attend the TV Globo debate regardless of Lula’s presence. In preparation for the October 1 event, TV Globo has announced programming adjustments, including changes to the timing of ‘Jornal Nacional’ and ‘Jornal da Globo.’ Globo has invited Lula, Flávio Bolsonaro, Ronaldo Caiado, and Augusto Cury to participate, noting that substitutes may be called.

## Claims

- Record canceled the presidential debate scheduled for September 27. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- The cancellation followed the refusal of candidates Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Flávio Bolsonaro to participate. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Record stated the debate would not fulfill its purpose of confronting main proposals without the leading candidates. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- A new debate is scheduled for October 11 if a second round occurs. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Flávio Bolsonaro's campaign will only participate in first-round debates if Lula is present. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Lula previously expressed reluctance to participate in debates. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The first round of the presidential election is scheduled for October 4. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- A group of broadcasters including SBT, CNN Brasil, and RedeTV! also canceled a scheduled debate. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-28: Brazil presidential debates trigger media schedule changes

Brazilian media outlets are preparing for presidential debates, with TV Globo adjusting its schedule for an October 1 debate and Estadão and Band planning a second-round debate for October 11.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/brazil-presidential-debates-trigger-media-schedule-changes

### 2026-09-23: Record cancels presidential debate due to Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro absences

Record has canceled its September 27 presidential debate after leading candidates Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro declined to participate, leaving TV Globo's October 1 debate as the final major televised matchup.

10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/record-cancels-presidential-debate-due-to-absence-of-lula-and-flvio-bolsonaro

### 2026-09-09: Brazilian media pool cancels presidential and state debates

A Brazilian media consortium canceled presidential and São Paulo gubernatorial debates after frontrunners Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Flávio Bolsonaro failed to confirm their participation.

8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/brazilian-media-pool-cancels-presidential-and-state-debates

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Cite as: Brazilian election debate cancellations. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/brazilian-election-debate-cancellations