Lula may skip Brazil's first-round presidential debates

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is days away from formally launching his campaign for a fourth term, and his advisers are still deciding whether he should stand on a debate stage at all. The Workers' Party (PT) leadership is split on it.

The math says he should stay home. Lula is the only left-wing candidate in the field. Flávio Bolsonaro, Ronaldo Caiado, Romeu Zema and Renan Santos are all fishing the same anti-PT waters, each auditioning for the role of chief opponent. Put them on one stage with the president and he spends two hours absorbing fire from four directions.