How Two Court Decisions Led to Globo’s Presidential Debate Cancellation

An STF order opened a place for Renan Santos in the debate, while a TSE injunction suspended the rules on an empty podium and questions aimed at Lula. After Flávio Bolsonaro withdrew, Globo canceled the event.

Globo’s presidential debate, scheduled for the night of October 1, was canceled after a sequence of court rulings and withdrawals changed the format planned by the broadcaster within hours.

The STF decision and Renan Santos’ participation

The first change came from Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court (STF). In decision Rcl. No. 94,666/PR, Justice Gilmar Mendes ordered the participation of Renan Santos, candidate of the Missão Party, in the spot left open by Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s absence.

The order assured Renan the same conditions given to the other candidates, including speaking time, questions and position in the studio.

The TSE injunction concerning an absent candidate

Brazil’s Superior Electoral Court (TSE) then reviewed a complaint filed by the Brasil Pronto Pra Mais Coalition, made up of the Workers’ Party (PT) and other parties supporting Lula’s candidacy, against Globo.

Justice Estela Aranha granted an injunction suspending the part of the debate rules that provided for the prominent display of an empty podium identified with the absent candidate’s name, as well as questions directed at a candidate who was not present.

In practical terms, the TSE decision did not prevent the debate from being held, nor did it ban journalistic references to any candidate’s absence. It suspended the specific arrangement that would keep the vacant place highlighted and allow questions to a candidate without an immediate response.

Flávio’s withdrawal and the cancellation

With Renan Santos included by the STF and that format removed by the TSE, the debate’s setting changed. Flávio Bolsonaro announced that he would not take part. As a result, a direct confrontation between him and Renan Santos was also no longer part of the evening’s format.

Given the absence of Lula and then Flávio Bolsonaro — two of the main figures expected in the debate — Globo announced the cancellation of the program.

Statement on Flow

In a clip from an interview on Flow, Lula argues that he does not consider it democratic to debate what he calls “nanicos” — a Brazilian political term commonly used for candidates with less electoral prominence. The statement provides context for his absence, although it was not part of the court decisions.

Documents

STF decision: Rcl. No. 94,666/PR, rapporteur Justice Gilmar Mendes. Download the full decision (PDF).

TSE decision: Representation No. 0602550-02.2026.6.00.0000, rapporteur Justice Estela Aranha. Download the full decision (PDF).

Both decisions were issued as urgent injunctions given the proximity of the debate and the first round of voting.