MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Strong public opinion support for Lula

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva administration approval rating stands at 41,9%, according to a public opinion poll released this week.

The poll from the Sensus Institute and contracted by the Brazilian Transport Confederation CNT, indicates that Mr. Lula's administration support remains strong in the 41% range. Last August it had dropped from 48,3% to 41,6% in October.

Similarly the negative assessment of his administration exhibits minimum variation from 12,3% last October to 12,9% in the first week of December.

As to President Lula da Silva's personal approval it remains strong: 70,5% last October and 69,9% the first week of December.

"The poll indicates that overall the Brazilian population trusts and believes in Mr. Lula da Silva, but after a year in office they are not so certain that unemployment, violence and corruption will come down", said Celsio Andrade from CNT.

The poll also shows that 43,7% of those interviewed believe the employment situation is worse than a year ago, and although 43,4% feel current employment policies are adequate, 39,2% stand in the opposite position.

"Unemployment is a serious issue and this means government will have to reassess its economic focus", said Mr. Andrade.

Surprisingly 26,4% of those interviewed feel corruption under President Lula has actually increased, while 19,5% believe it was dropped. Anyhow for an overwhelming majority of Brazilians, 72,9%, corruption in Brazil is very serious and worse than in most countries.

Regarding President Lula da Silva's multiple trips overseas, 52,5% approve and 52,4% believe that the world influence of Brazil is now greater than under previous president Fernando Henrique Cardoso.