Bolsonaro’s approval rating plunges as Brazilians lose confidence
RIO DE JANEIRO: Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro’s approval rating plunged in March, a poll showed Wednesday, after a series of political scandals tarnished his anti-corruption image.
Bolsonaro’s score of 51 percent was the worst reading recorded by a first-term president in the three months after taking power, according to Ibope institute, which surveyed around 2,000 Brazilians.
That compares with the farright leader’s 67 per cent approval rating in January soon after he was sworn in.
Public confidence in the ultraconservative Bolsonaro also fell to 49 per cent this month from 62 per cent at the start of the year.
And 44 per cent of Brazilians declared they had no confidence in the former paratrooper, compared with 30 per cent in January.
On top of that, Bolsonaro is trying to push through an ‘extremely unpopular’ reform of the country’s generous pension system.
Bolsonaro took office on Jan 1 after winning 55 per cent of votes in October on promises to fight corruption and violence, as well as overhaul the country’s finances and revive economic growth.
But a slew of scandals, including allegations of illegal financial transactions involving one of Bolsonaro’s sons and the sacking of a close aide suspected of misusing campaign funds in last year’s election, have eroded faith in his anti-corruption rhetoric.
Disappointment with Bolsonaro has extended to his government, with Ibope’s latest survey showing fewer Brazilians having a positive impression of the administration — 34 per cent in March compared with 49 per cent at the start of the term. — AFP