December 11, 2006

Abstract: - More Chilean adults are satisfied with their president, according to a poll by Adimark. 51 per cent of respondents approve of Michelle Bachelet's performance, up five points since October.

- More Chilean adults are satisfied with their president, according to a poll by Adimark. 51 per cent of respondents approve of Michelle Bachelet's performance, up five points since October.

Bachelet—a former defence minister—was elected in a January run-off as the candidate for the centre-left Agreement of Parties for Democracy (CPD). Bachelet defeated businessman Sebastián Piñera of National Renewal (RN) with 53.49 per cent of all cast ballots. She officially took over as president in March.

In 2004, landlocked Bolivia asked to use a Chilean port to facilitate the export of natural gas. Bolivia lost its only sea access in the 1879 war against Chile, a matter that is still a source of diplomatic tension between the two South American nations. In March, Bolivian president Evo Morales declared, "I believe, although I do not want to commit to anything, that this is a good moment to return to the sea."

On Dec. 9, Bachelet discussed the current state of affairs, saying, "If there is anything we can offer (to Bolivia), we will do it with pleasure." Chilean foreign minister Alejandro Foxley added, "The dialogue is ongoing and there is good rapport between both presidents, and a good understanding of the advances and the required pace for the agenda."

Polling Data

Do you approve or disapprove of Michelle Bachelet's performance as president?

	Nov. 2006	Oct. 2006	Sept. 2006
Approve	51.0%	46.0%	44.5%
Disapprove	31.3%	35.3%	38.2%
Not sure	17.7%	18.7%	17.3%

Source: Adimark GfK
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,017 Chilean adults, conducted from Nov. 9 to Nov. 30, 2006. Margin of error is 3 per cent.