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Popularity of Chile’s Bachelet Continues to Spike
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - A large majority of Chileans now express support for outgoing president Michelle Bachelet, according to a poll by CEP. 78 per cent of respondents approve of the president’s performance, up five points since August.
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 Nov. 12, Bachelet declined to reveal whether she will run for office again in 2014, saying that she wants to spend more time with her family, and adding, "I have one clear objective at this moment; pay a debt that I have with my family."
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?
|
|
Oct. 2009 |
Aug. 2009 |
Jun. 2009 |
|
Approve |
78% |
73% |
67% |
|
Disapprove |
11% |
14% |
18% |
Source: Centro de Estudios Públicos (CEP)
Methodology: Interviews with 1,505 Chilean adults, conducted from Oct. 8 to Oct. 30, Margin of error is 3 per cent.