Brazil: Mayoral Candidate Attacks Rival with Chair on Live TV

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Above: Pablo Marcal (C), poses for a picture with a supporter during a campaign rally in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on September 3, 2024. Image copyright: Nelson Almeida/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images

The Facts

  • A mayoral candidate in São Paulo, the largest city in the Western Hemisphere, was rushed to hospital with trauma to his chest and wrist after one of his opponents slammed a metal chair into him during a televised debate on Sunday.

  • Aides to Pablo Marçal said on Monday that the self-help influencer turned politician was suffering from painful breathing and a fractured rib. Emergency officials also said that one of his fingers was dislocated.

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The Spin

Narrative A

Well-known for his aggressive behavior in debates, Marçal is ultimately responsible for this one descending into chaos. An assault was to be expected when he decided to refer to serious allegations that have already been dismissed — he deliberately provoked another candidate.

Brasil de Fato

Narrative B

Marçal is the victim here, and there should be no room to blame him for anything. If he can be called a thug for overturned convictions related to charges dating back to when he was 18, so should he be able to remind other candidates about their troubled past.

Breitbart

Metaculus Prediction