Brazilian president's approval rating plunges as inflation bites

Support for Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has dipped sharply and now trail his disapproval rating, a CNT/MDA poll showed on Tuesday, the latest in a series of surveys pointing to views of the leftist leader turning negative.

WHY IT'S IMPORTANT

The poll comes as Latin America's largest country gears up for a presidential election next year with voters increasingly worried about creeping consumer prices.

Lula, as the Brazilian president is known, is weighing a potential run for reelection but the scenario remains unsettled as health concerns for the 79-year-old president grow and his main right-wing rival, former President Jair Bolsonaro, has been barred from public office.

BY THE NUMBERS

The CNT/MDA poll showed that 44% of respondents see the Lula administration as negative, up significantly from 31% in a November survey. Meanwhile, those with a positive view dropped to 29% from 35% previously.

Regarding Lula's performance as president, 55% disapprove, up from 46% in November, while 40% approve, slipping from 50% in the previous poll.

The poll surveyed 2,002 people in person from February 19-23. Its margin of error of was plus or minus 2.2 percentage points.

KEY QUOTES

"The government is under severe pressure," said CNT executive director Bruno Batista. "We know there is still a long time before the election, but the government now will probably have to pay more attention to price increases, as that's what voters complain most about."

ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND

Brazil's annual inflation rate reached its highest level in mid-February since late 2023 at 4.96%. Lula has acknowledged an increase in food prices, but he argues that overall inflation is under control.

Other polls have also pointed to views of Lula turning negative as he reached the midpoint of his third non-consecutive term. Lula has downplayed them, saying it is too early for people to have a final view of his administration.