**Renan Santos has faced consistent exclusion from major pre-first-round presidential debates due to eligibility rules tied to congressional representation.** His Mission Party holds only one federal deputy seat, falling short of the five-parliamentarian threshold required for automatic inclusion under Brazil’s electoral law. Recent attempts to secure a spot in the Globo debate—after Lula’s withdrawal—were denied by the TSE and STF, with the event ultimately canceled amid scheduling disputes and candidate pullouts. A proposed direct confrontation with Flávio Bolsonaro on October 3 remained an unconfirmed personal challenge rather than an official broadcast debate. With the first round imminent and no qualifying events left in the window, trader consensus reflects these structural and procedural barriers. Late developments, such as an unforeseen last-minute invitation or rule change, could theoretically shift the outcome, though none appear scheduled.