Kast hits lowest approval rating as political conflicts mount

José Antonio Kast’s approval rating has fallen to its lowest level since he took office, with the Chilean president facing growing criticism over his security agenda and a series of political disputes.

The Plaza Pública Cadem poll released Thursday placed Kast’s approval at 34%, down four percentage points, while disapproval rose to 61%. His previous low was 36%, recorded in mid-May. The result follows an August Criteria poll that put his approval at about 35%, after readings near 39% or 40% in June.

The decline comes as Kast presses an agenda centered on security, organized crime and tighter migration policy. In recent weeks, his government has advanced eight proposed constitutional reforms intended to expand the executive’s powers against organized crime and terrorism.

One proposal would create a new state of emergency for “public security,” lasting 120 days and renewable for another 120 days without prior congressional approval. It would allow restrictions on movement and assembly, communications interception and property requisitioning. It could also place designated areas under the command of a senior armed forces or Carabineros officer, while giving the president power to label certain groups criminal or terrorist organizations.

The proposal has faced resistance within the governing coalition, prompting the government to reduce the urgency of its congressional consideration while seeking broader support. Human Rights Watch called on Chile’s Congress to reject it, arguing that the changes would give the president excessively broad emergency powers and could conflict with Chile’s international human rights commitments.

Public opinion has also turned against several elements of the plan. A late-August Cadem poll found that 49% opposed the new state of emergency and 44% supported it. Sixty-one percent said Congress should have to authorize it, while 55% favored renewals every 30 days. Fifty-one percent said the government should withdraw the bill, negotiate changes and submit it again.