Datena Assaults Marçal During São Paulo Debate

During a live televised debate for the São Paulo mayoral race, candidate José Luiz Datena assaulted rival Pablo Marçal with an iron chair, resulting in Marçal suffering a broken rib. The incident erupted after a heated exchange where Marçal accused Datena of lacking seriousness in his candidacy, referencing past sexual harassment allegations against him. Datena's attack, captured on live TV, has drawn widespread condemnation and is likely to alter the dynamics of the election, which features nine candidates vying for leadership in Brazil's largest city. Following the assault, Marçal was taken to the hospital and posted updates from his hospital bed, calling the attack cowardly. The debate continued despite Marçal's absence, prompting outrage and calls for legal action against Datena. This shocking act of political violence highlights the increasingly aggressive nature of Brazilian politics as the election approaches.