Lula urges Bolsonaro to reveal bank and phone records before election
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva pledged to make his own financial and telephone data public if rival Flavio Bolsonaro does the same, aiming to force transparency amid corruption probes.
Lula submitted a document to the electoral court stating he will authorize the publication of his own banking, tax and telephone information, together with that of his relatives and any entities they manage, if Flavio Bolsonaro does likewise. The challenge is part of a broader contest over graft allegations, with Bolsonaro under investigation for suspected money-laundering tied to the defunct Banco Master and a film-funding request involving owner Daniel Vorcaro.
Lula argued that such disclosure is essential for an informed electorate and invited Bolsonaro to demonstrate he has nothing to hide. The president also referenced separate Supreme Court investigations into his son Fabio Luis Lula da Silva for alleged influence-peddling and pension fraud, which the son denies. Bolsonaro has not yet commented on the demand. Lula made the statement during a campaign rally in Maranhao state.
Why it matters
The demand for mutual financial disclosure could shape voter perceptions in Brazil's tightly contested presidential race.
How this story developed
- Oct 5 Flavio Bolsonaro hails sweeping right-wing win in Brazil's Congress after election
- Oct 6 Flavio Bolsonaro secured a first‑round victory, making him the runoff frontrunner.
- Oct 9 Augusto Cury announced he will vote for Bolsonaro in the runoff.
- Oct 10 Former Minas Gerais governor Romeu Zema and former President Michel Temer publicly endorsed Flavio Bolsonaro.
- Oct 16 Official data show that deforestation in Brazil's Amazon has fallen to its smallest extent since monitoring began, dropping about 42% compared with the previous year.
- Oct 17 Inpe released the latest deforestation data showing the 3,335 sq km figure.
- Oct 19 The first televised debate between the two candidates was held a week before the runoff.
- Oct 20 Lula’s closing remarks were interrupted when the moderator announced he had run out of time.
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