‘Why all this hate?’: Mayoral debate in Brazil turns ugly as candidate attacks rival with chair, live on TV

São Paulo mayoral candidate José Luiz Datena says he attacked his rival – who required hospital treatment – because he had brought up old sexual harassment allegations that were dismissed several years ago.

A mayoral debate in the Brazilian city of São Paulo turned ugly when one of the candidates attacked a rival with a chair. Video from the debate, broadcast live on Sunday by TV Cultura, shows a tense exchange between José Luiz Datena and Pablo Marçal before Datena swings the chair at his counterpart. Datena later told TV Cultura that he had attacked Marçal – who required hospital treatment for his injuries – because he had brought up old sexual harassment allegations against Datena that were dismissed several years ago. “He came with a case that was archived, that was not even investigated by the police because there was no evidence. Something from 11 years ago that caused a very serious situation within my family,” Datena said. Datena was expelled from the debate but insisted in a statement Monday that while he had made a mistake he did not regret his actions. Marçal was treated at Sírio Libanês Hospital before being released. His team said he was treated for a possible fracture in the chest region and had difficulty breathing. The hospital said he had suffered trauma to his chest and wrist, but without any major complications.