Brazil mayoral candidates brawl live on TV

Video from the debate, broadcast live on September 15 on TV Cultura, shows mayoral candidates José Luiz Datena and Pablo Marçal having a heated argument, after which Datena swung a chair at his opponent, forcing him to be hospitalized.

Sao Paulo mayoral candidate Jose Luiz Datena (left) swings a chair at his opponent Pablo Marcal during a televised debate on September 15. Photo: TV Cultura

Datena later explained that he attacked Marçal because he had brought up previous sexual harassment allegations against him, which had been dismissed several years ago.

Datena was expelled from the debate. In a statement on September 16, he said that although he had made mistakes, he did not regret his actions.

Marçal was treated at Sírio Libanês Hospital before being discharged. His team said he was still having difficulty breathing after being treated for a chest wound. The hospital said he suffered chest and wrist injuries, but no serious complications.

Marçal compared the chair attack to the assassination attempt on former US President Donald Trump in July and the stabbing of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro during the 2018 election. He posted images of all three attacks on Instagram with the caption: "Why this hatred?"

The remaining candidates, Guilherme Boulos, Marina Helena, Ricardo Nunes and Tabata Amaral, continued to debate after the attack. Cultura TV said it regretted the incident and continued the debate according to the rules after the other candidates agreed.

Marçal's team announced that it would take legal action. "Pablo Marçal was cowardly attacked by José Luiz Datena, hit in the ribs with an iron chair," Marçal's team said, adding that it was unfortunate that the debate continued without him.

Ngoc Anh (according to CNN)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/cac-ung-vien-thi-truong-brazil-au-da-truc-tiep-tren-tv-post312704.html