BRASÍLIA: Brazilian presidential candidate Flavio Bolsonaro on Thursday bowed out of the final debate ahead of elections pitting him against leader Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who also declined to attend.
The leftist incumbent opted to appear on a popular podcast with millions of YouTube subscribers instead, while his right-wing rival accused the electoral court of "censorship" to justify his withdrawal.
Both candidates have doubled down on dirty tactics in the final stretch of the polarized campaign, which has featured a bitter argument about Brazil's beloved patron saint.
In recent days, Lula drew the ire of Bolsonaro by referring to rumours circulating that the senator would strip Our Lady of Aparecida of patron saint status if elected.
