Brazil’s Lula Faces Lowest Approval Since Term Start
The IPEC survey, released on Friday, reveals a significant dip in approval for President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
His favorable ratings have dropped by 5 percentage points since December, reaching a record low.
Now, only 33% of the 2,000 surveyed individuals rate his government positively, down from 38%.
Meanwhile, disapproval slightly rose to 32% from 30%, within a 2 percentage point margin of error.
This downturn marks the highest level of dissatisfaction with Lula’s leadership since his third term’s onset.
The share of respondents rating the government as average increased to 33% from 30%.
One year prior, 41% of people viewed the government positively versus 24% negatively.
Lula’s leadership style also saw minor shifts, with 49% now approving (down from 51%) and 45% disapproving (up from 43%). The undecided rate remains steady at 6%.
Survey Highlights Challenges Facing Lula’s Presidency
This survey, conducted from March 1 to 5, may reflect backlash from Lula’s controversial February 18 comparison of Palestinian deaths in Gaza to Holocaust victims.
This statement sparked significant criticism from both the Israeli government and the Brazilian opposition.
Other recent surveys, like Genial/Quaest and AtlasIntel, also noted a decrease in Lula‘s approval ratings.
Lula’s 2022 supporters, Northeast/Southeast residents, low-income earners, black/mixed-race individuals, women, and high school graduates experienced pronounced decline.
Trust in Lula showed minor fluctuations, but the divide widened: 45% now trust him, down from 48%, and distrust rose to 51% from 50%.
Comparing Lula’s term with Bolsonaro’s, 30% say it’s better (down from 32%), 30% say it’s the same, and 38% feel it’s worse. Those unsure or not responding increased to 3% from 2%.
Looking ahead, 43% believe the government is on the right path, whereas 50% disagree, and 7% are undecided or not responding.
This survey sheds light on the challenges facing Lula’s presidency, underscoring the importance of public opinion in shaping political landscapes.
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