Lula's approval rating climbs on economic programs, poll shows

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's administration is seeing a notable uptick in public approval, with recent economic initiatives appearing to resonate strongly with voters. A Genial/Quaest poll released Wednesday shows the government's approval rating at 48%, the highest point recorded since late 2024 and numerically surpassing disapproval at 47%. This marks a five-percentage-point increase since April.

Felipe Nunes, director at Quaest and a professor at FGV, attributes this rise to the government's success in delivering tangible results to a specific segment of the electorate. "We are talking about reducing indebtedness through Desenrola, the expectation of better working conditions with the 6x1 scale discussion, and an increase in living standards, considering the marginal improvement from the increase in the income tax exemption bracket," Nunes explained.

These economic policies seem to be particularly influencing independent voters, who are less driven by ideology and more by pragmatic concerns. The poll suggests that the government's focus on popular economy measures is making a difference for those not firmly aligned with either the Bolsonarist or Lulista camps. This aligns with previous findings, such as a June Datafolha survey indicating a drop in economic pessimism among Brazilians.

The 'Desenrola Brasil' program, aimed at reducing household debt, and the ongoing debate about the 6x1 work schedule, which could significantly impact young workers, are frequently cited as key factors. Improvements in average income, linked to the adjusted income tax exemption, are also contributing to a general recovery in popularity across various demographics, including men and women.