Polls Show Only One-Third Approve of Kast’s Government

Approval of Chilean President José Antonio Kast has recovered from a July low in one poll, but the overall picture remains weak: only about one-third of respondents approve of his performance.

Activa Research’s Pulso Ciudadano put Kast’s approval at 33.8%, an increase of 8.2 percentage points from the 25.6% low recorded in July. The poll marked his largest monthly recovery since taking office, but 54.4% disapproved. Criteria recorded approval at 33%, down two points from the previous week, with disapproval at 55%, three points higher.

Across 11 measurements, Kast’s government averaged 32.3% approval and 52.3% disapproval. The cabinet performed worse, with 24.4% approval and 62.5% disapproval. Criteria’s five-week August series showed average presidential approval of 34% and indicated that support remained concentrated among Kast’s own voters. Sixty-six percent of those who voted for him in the second round approved of his performance, compared with 2% of those who voted for Jeannette Jara.

Security proposals received more support than the government itself. Pulso Ciudadano found 39.2% backed a constitutional security reform, while 29.2% opposed it and 31.6% were undecided. Criteria found 53% favored constitutional changes to strengthen security, compared with 36% against. Yet 49% opposed creating a new constitutional state of emergency lasting up to 240 days, while 40% supported it. Seventy-four percent said punishment should take priority over rehabilitation for people convicted of organized crime or terrorism. Criteria also found that 61% wanted a president like Nayib Bukele, compared with 31% for Claudia Sheinbaum and 26% for Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.