Chile President Bachelet Approval Jumps To Record 80% In Oct
Poll
SANTIAGO -(Dow Jones)- Chilean President Michelle Bachelet's approval rating
rose to a record 80% in October, from 76% the previous month, according to an
opinion poll published Thursday by conservative polling institute Adimark GfK.
"Bachelet has become one of the highest rated leaders in the Americas and
possibly the world," Adimark said, adding that since these types of polls have
been conducted no Chilean leader had ever obtained such a high rating level.
In October 2008, at the onset of the global financial crisis, Bachelet
obtained a 42% approval rating.
Her disapproval rating, meanwhile, fell to 13% from 16% the previous month.
Adimark attributed Bachelet's record approval rating to the perception of how
she and her cabinet have handled the economic crisis.
"Undoubtedly, the President's success is related to the perception of the
management of the threatening international economic crisis that got started in
the last quarter of 2008," Adimark said.
Of all the members of Bachelet's cabinet, Finance Minister Andres Velasco has
the highest approval rating, at 76%. In last month's poll, Velasco obtained a
67% approval rating.
Other cabinet members didn't fare as well as Velasco, with Foreign Affairs
Minister Mariano Fernandez obtaining a 40% approval rating, down from 43% in
September and Interior Minister Edmundo Perez Yoma garnering a 44% approval,
versus 41% a month ago.
The government as a whole obtains 69% approval, up sharply from 64% in last
month's poll.
In January, Chile unveiled a $4 billion fiscal stimulus package that included
direct transfers to lower income families. Most of these transfers were made in
March. In her annual May 21 "state of the nation" speech, Bachelet announced
additional transfers to lower income families.
The stimulus package was financed with funds from one of the sovereign wealth
funds where the government saved the windfall from high copper prices in recent
years. Chile is the world's largest copper producer.
In terms of how the president is handling specific issues, Bachelet rates
highest with regards to the economy, with a 74% approval rating, up from 69% the
previous month.
As to foreign affairs, 70% approve of her performance, up from 69% the
previous month. She scores lowest with regard to crime, where she obtains only
an 12% approval rating, the same as in September.
In terms of specific characteristics attributed to Chile's president, 95% see
Bachelet as "loved by Chileans," 94% say she's "respected," and 88% say she's "
credible." In addition, 84% say she has "the capacity to face crisis
situations."
Despite the positive perceptions regarding Bachelet's personal characteristics
and her approval rating, the presidential candidate of her governing center-left
Concertacion coalition hasn't been able to garner the same support for his bid.
Former president and current contender Eduardo Frei is trailing behind
conservative opposition candidate Sebastian Pinera according to recently
released voter intention polls conducted by other pollsters.
Adimark's nationwide telephone survey of 1,109 people was conducted Oct. 5-31.
The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus three percentage points.
Pollster Web site: http://www.adimark.cl
-By Carolina Pica, Dow Jones Newswires; 56-2-820-4244; carolina.pica@
dowjones.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
11-05-090933ET
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