Brazilian Mayoral Candidate Attacks Rival with Metal Chair During Debate

In a shocking turn of events during a mayoral debate in São Paulo, Brazil, a heated exchange between candidates José Luiz Datena and Pablo Marçal escalated into physical violence. The incident occurred on Sunday and was captured on camera by local TV Cultura.

Datena, a 67-year-old local news anchor, launched a sudden attack on his 37-year-old opponent, Marçal, wielding a metal chair. The altercation unfolded after Marçal allegedly mocked Datena over long-dismissed allegations of sexual misconduct. Datena, in a state of rage, admitted to reacting impulsively due to the serious impact those allegations had on his family.

Marçal, an influencer turned right-wing politician, likened the chair attack to previous acts of violence against political figures, such as the stabbing of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro in 2018 and the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump by a sniper in July. An image featuring all three attacks was shared on Marçal’s team’s Instagram account, accompanied by the caption, “Why all this hate?”

As a result of the assault, Marçal suffered injuries to his wrist and chest, including a potential chest fracture. He has vowed to pursue legal action against Datena. In an official statement, Marçal’s team condemned the attack, describing it as a cowardly act.

Both Datena and Marçal were among the six candidates competing for the position of mayor in São Paulo, one of the largest cities in the world with a population of approximately 11.4 million people. Prior to the incident, Datena was polling in fifth place, while Marçal held the third position.