The Citizen Pulse Survey corresponding to the end of September reveals significant changes in the perception of Chilean citizens about the President of the Republic, Gabriel Boric, as well as about other relevant issues for the country.
One of the most notable findings of the survey is the increase in approval of President Gabriel Boric. According to the data collected, 28.3% of those surveyed approve of the management of the head of state, which represents a significant increase of 5.3 percentage points compared to the previous survey, which showed 23.2% approval.
This increase in President Boric’s approval could be related to his actions and policies implemented since he took office, as well as the perception of some sectors of the population that he is responding effectively to the challenges facing the country.
Decrease in Disapproval
In addition to the increase in approval, the survey also reflects a decrease in disapproval of President Boric. In this measurement, disapproval reached 55.8%, which represents a reduction of 4.9 percentage points compared to the August survey that registered 60.7% disapproval. This decrease in disapproval can be considered an indication that some sectors of the population have improved their perception of the president.
Constitutional Process: Changes in Preferences
The survey also addressed the opinion of respondents about the constitutional process underway in Chile. 36.6% of those surveyed indicated that they would vote against the proposal for a new Magna Carta, which represents a significant increase of 8.9 percentage points compared to the previous survey. On the other hand, 11.3% would be in favor of the proposal, but this marked a decrease of 4.3 percentage points compared to August.
Furthermore, it was highlighted that 51.3% of those surveyed have little or no interest in the constituent process, while an overwhelming 62.7% have little or no level of confidence in it. This suggests growing apathy and skepticism among the population regarding this important process.
Presidential Preferences
When it comes to presidential preferences, the survey produced interesting results. The mayor of Providencia, Evelyn Matthei, leads the preferences with 18.8%, an increase of 1.4 percentage points compared to previous measurements. She is followed by José Antonio Kast, Republican leader, with 14.0% (-0.6%), and Sebastián Piñera with 10.5% (+ 0.3%). Michelle Bachelet, Camila Vallejo, Franco Parisi, Carolina Tohá and Rodolfo Carter were also mentioned, although with smaller numbers.
Opinions on Statements by Sebastián Piñera
The survey also asked respondents about the statements of former President Sebastián Piñera, who stated that in October 2019 an attempt was made to carry out a “non-traditional coup d’état” against him. The results reflected a division in public opinion, with 37.4% strongly disagreeing or disagreeing, 32.4% strongly agreeing or agreeing, and 30.2% taking no clear position.
Main Problems at the Country Level
Finally, the survey identified the main problems perceived by respondents at the country level. Crime topped the list with 44.3%, followed by inflation and price rises with 26.8%, health with 20.8%, and the economy with 18.8%. These results highlight the most pressing concerns of the Chilean population at this time.
In conclusion, the results of the Citizen Pulse Survey indicate significant changes in the perception of the Chilean population about President Gabriel Boric, as well as in other areas of political and social interest. These data will serve as a key reference to understand the political and social dynamics in Chile in the coming months.
