A televised mayoral debate in Sao Paulo, Brazil took a violent turn when one of the candidates attacked another with a metal chair. Pablo Marcal, a right-wing politician and former personal development influencer, accused his opponent, José Luiz Datena, a former TV presenter turned candidate, of wanting to physically harm him. In response, Datena walked towards Marcal with a metal chair raised over his head and slammed it into Marcal’s side during the live video broadcast. Following the attack, the event was interrupted, and Marcal was immediately taken to the hospital for medical treatment. Marcal suffered respiratory issues and a fracture on the bottom of his rib cage as a result of the incident.
Marcal’s campaign team claimed that the attack was an “attempted homicide” and likened it to past incidents such as the attempted assassination of former President Trump and the stabbing of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. However, an inquiry into Datena’s alleged misconduct did not result in charges, and the accuser eventually retracted their statements. Datena denied the accusations against him and expressed that the incident had caused pain, leading to his mother-in-law suffering strokes and passing away. Despite acknowledging that he made a mistake during the debate, Datena stated that he had no regrets and would repeat the action in similar circumstances, citing a history of aggression from his opponent.
Hospital officials confirmed that Marcal suffered trauma to his chest region and wrist but had been discharged without major complications. Marcal’s team expressed their belief that legal action should be taken against Datena and were disappointed that the debate had resumed without Marcal’s presence. The incident was reported to Sao Paulo’s public security agency as “bodily injury and insult,” and an investigation is ongoing. Both candidates have provided differing accounts of the events that unfolded during the debate, with Marcal claiming to be a victim of a violent assault and Datena defending his actions as a response to past aggression from his opponent.
The intense altercation during the mayoral debate sparked outrage and controversy in Brazil, with many questioning the conduct of the candidates vying for public office. The heated exchange between Marcal and Datena has brought attention to the competitive nature of Brazilian politics and the lengths to which candidates may go to discredit their opponents. Despite the physical altercation and accusations made during the debate, both Marcal and Datena have maintained their positions and defended their actions. The incident has raised concerns about the safety and decorum of political debates in Brazil and may have lasting implications on the upcoming mayoral election in Sao Paulo.
