Adviser punches mayor's staffer at São Paulo debate

During a live TV debate in São Paulo, Brazil, a physical altercation occurred between campaign staffers of rival mayoral candidates. Nahuel Medina, an adviser to candidate Pablo Marçal, punched Eduardo de Lima, a marketing aide for Mayor Ricardo Nunes, after being ejected from the debate by the moderator. The incident escalated quickly, with Medina attacking de Lima as he was distracted by his phone. The confrontation resulted in de Lima kneeling on the floor with visible injuries, while Medina fled back to the podium. Both individuals later reported to a local police precinct, where they filed statements against each other. However, only de Lima's report was officially recognized by the Sâo Paulo Public Safety Department, which noted that he provided evidence and requested protective measures. Medina claimed that de Lima initiated the conflict by scratching him, while de Lima denied any physical contact, stating he only attempted to take Medina's phone. This incident followed another violent episode involving Marçal, who had been struck with a chair by fellow candidate José Luiz Datena during a previous debate. Marçal was hospitalized but later discharged, highlighting the increasingly aggressive atmosphere surrounding the mayoral race. The recent events have raised concerns about the conduct of political campaigns in Brazil, particularly as tensions rise among candidates. Marçal expressed disappointment over the violence, indicating a willingness to remove Medina from his team if similar actions were taken against the opposing campaign staff. The situation reflects a troubling trend in political discourse, where debates have devolved into physical confrontations, undermining the democratic process.