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Popularity Hike Continues for Chile’s Bachelet
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Since the beginning of this year, Chilean president Michelle Bachelet has become increasingly popular, according to a poll by Centro de Estudios Públicos (CEP). 67 per cent of respondents approve of Bachelet’s performance, up 23 points since December.
Bachelet—a former defence minister—was elected in a January 2006 run-off as the candidate for the centre-left Agreement of Parties for Democracy (CPD) with 53.49 per cent of all cast ballots. She officially took over as president in March 2006.
Since taking office, Bachelet has faced massive protests staged by high school students complaining about the poor quality of public education, as well as street demonstrations in Santiago, the capital city, over the botched implementation of a new transportation program called Transantiago.
On May 28, Angel Gurría, secretary-general of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), said progress is being made in Chile’s application to enter the group. Bachelet commented on the matter, saying, "Becoming a member of this organization would be a very positive sign for my country in a time of international crisis."
Bachelet is ineligible for a consecutive term in office. The first round of Chile’s next presidential election is scheduled for Dec. 11.
Polling Data
Do you approve or disapprove of the performance of Michelle Bachelet as president?
|
|
Jun. 2009 |
Dec. 2008 |
Jun. 2008 |
|
Approve |
67% |
44% |
39% |
|
Disapprove |
18% |
39% |
44% |
Source: Centro de Estudios Públicos (CEP)
Methodology: Interviews with 1,505 Chilean adults, conducted from May 14 to Jun. 3, 2009. Margin of error is 3 per cent.
