# Lula challenges Bolsonaro on spending cuts

> Lula asks Bolsonaro if he'll use Milei's chainsaw to cut 250 billion reais in spending.
- Title: Lula challenges Bolsonaro on spending cuts · MercoPress
- Summary: Lula asks Bolsonaro if he'll use Milei's chainsaw to cut 250 billion reais in spending. Lula challenged Bolsonaro during Brazil's first debate about cutting…
- Keywords: lula da silva, flavio bolsonaro, javier milei, brazil, campaign, spending cuts, news, world, politics, Lula, challenges, Bolsonaro
- Source: MercoPress — https://en.mercopress.com/2026/10/19/lula-asks-bolsonaro-whether-he-will-wield-milei-s-chainsaw-in-a-heated-debate
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: lula da silva, flavio bolsonaro, javier milei, brazil, campaign, spending cuts, news, world, politics
## Lula questions Bolsonaro
Lula asked Bolsonaro whether he would apply Milei's chainsaw to cut 250 billion reais in public spending.

> Milei's chainsaw
## Debate setting
The debate lasted over two hours at Band network headquarters in São Paulo, Brazil.
## Bolsonaro's focus
Bolsonaro emphasized security concerns and drug trafficking in neighborhoods.

> The streets will be ours again and not those criminals
## Polling results
Polls show a statistical tie with Bolsonaro leading 47.03% to Lula's 45.16%.
## Key takeaway

Lula challenged Bolsonaro during Brazil's first debate about cutting 250 billion reais in public spending.