The campaign team of Brazil's president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, used Javier Milei's chainsaw policy as an example in the final stretch of the campaign ahead of the presidential runoff against Flávio Bolsonaro, which will be held next Sunday, October 25. "Almost half of Argentines in misery" and "they have to eat donkey meat to survive" were some of the phrases published by the team of the current head of state when using the Argentine president as an example, to encourage the population not to vote for the Rio de Janeiro senator, who won the first round and appears as the favorite for the runoff. Through his X account, Lula posted: "Milei's chainsaw, in Argentina, has already plunged almost half of Argentines into misery. It is not an example for Brazil. When Flávio Bolsonaro talks about cuts, about slashing, the spending he wants to cut is you." Along with that text, the Brazilian leader attached a video with a voiceover stating: "Milei is an example for Bolsonaro. [In Argentina] they have to eat donkey meat to survive. Is that an excellent example?" In the campaign ad, a clip of a statement by the economic coordinator of the right-wing candidate's campaign, Daniella Marques, who said Milei is "an excellent example" for Brazil, was repeated several times. Marques had stated that the campaign plan does not contemplate cuts to social programs, but rather a fiscal adjustment based on efficiency and the "reduction of privileges." "Is the middle class living on the street an excellent example? Are cuts to pensions and jobs an excellent example? No one in Brazil wants this terrible example," the video adds. Before the first round, Milei backed Bolsonaro and attacked Lula with insults. The Argentine government hopes that the largest economy in the region, and main partner in Mercosur, will join the "blue wave" of right-wing governments, under the axis led by the president of the United States, Donald Trump. With ties reduced by decision of Brasília to the level of chargés d'affaires, and the ambassadors of both countries awaiting instructions to return to their posts, institutional contacts continue, but it is clear that the relationship between Milei and Lula has no way back. After Bolsonaro took first place on October 4, Milei congratulated the senator. President Javier Milei celebrated Flávio Bolsonaro's victory over Lula da Silva in Brazil's elections. "Congratulations, dear friend Flávio Bolsonaro, on this historic election against the communist Lula. The American continent belongs to citizens who want to live in freedom. I hope we can soon start working together so that Argentina and Brazil remain great commercial, cultural, and political partners. The opportunities for our nations, working together, are infinite. ¡Viva la libertad, carajo!" he celebrated after the results were announced. RunoffAfter finishing behind Bolsonaro in the first round, Lula adjusted his campaign strategy to mobilize voters who did not go to the polls. During an event held last Sunday in São Paulo, Lula asked his followers to convince abstainers to participate in the runoff. He also announced benefits for micro-entrepreneurs, including the forgiveness of tax debts and a payment of up to 5,000 reais via Pix in 2027, and promised to create a program to support university students if he wins re-election. Flávio Bolsonaro SILVIO AVILA - AFPFlávio, meanwhile, focused his efforts on expanding his network of political alliances. He already has the backing of Republicanos, Podemos, União Brasil, Progressistas, and Novo. In addition, 16 regional directorates of the Brazilian Democratic Movement (MDB) have declared in his favor, compared to ten that support Lula. The candidate of the Liberal Party (PL) also sought to broaden his electoral appeal with new proposals. He promised to maintain social programs and create a Ministry of Prosperity, focused on job training and entrepreneurship.