Chilean government's first 100 days viewed critically by nearly half, poll finds

Chile's government, led by President José Antonio Kast, has marked its first 100 days in office, a period characterized by a major reconstruction project, persistent security concerns, and the departure of two key ministers. Public evaluation of the administration's performance is largely critical, according to a recent Criteria survey.

The poll reveals that 49% of respondents feel the government's performance has been worse than anticipated, while only 14% believe it has been better. This negative perception is particularly pronounced among those identifying with the left, where 80% expressed dissatisfaction. Conversely, within the right-wing segment, 24% found the government's performance better than expected, and 48% considered it in line with initial expectations.

Regarding the overall state of the country, 36% of Chileans perceive it as more disordered than before, compared to 26% who believe it is more orderly. A significant portion, 34%, sees no change. Political divides are evident here as well, with the left overwhelmingly reporting increased disorder (74%), while the right predominantly sees the country as more orderly (48%).

Public sentiment also reflects a shift. While hope remains a dominant emotion, it has fallen from 53% in February to 39%. Concurrently, negative emotions have risen, with fear increasing to 27% (+5 points), sadness to 12% (+7 points), and anger to 5% (+4 points). The survey, conducted on June 18 with 802 participants across various demographics, highlights a populace grappling with evolving expectations and anxieties.