Thursday, August 16th 2012 - 04:40 UTC

Brazilian president riding high in approval ratings despite economic slowdown

President Dilma Rousseff continues to enjoy high approval ratings as Brazilians remain mostly unaffected by the country's recent economic slowdown, according to a poll released on Tuesday.

Pollsters argue consumer wallets remain unaffected

Rousseff's government was described as “excellent” or “good” by 62% of those surveyed in a poll by Datafolha, a research institute associated with the Folha de S. Paulo, one of the country's biggest newspapers. The rating declined only two points from a Datafolha poll in April and the drop remains within the poll's margin of error.

The high ratings for Rousseff come despite the fact that Brazil's economy, which had grown by as much as 7.5% as recently as 2010, slowed to a near halt for the past year. A weekly Central Bank survey released on Monday predicted Latin America's largest economy will grow by less than 1.81% this year.

But voters' wallets, analysts say, remain unaffected, in part because of tax breaks, lower interest rates and other government measures to spur consumer demand.

“The approval remains high because the population still hasn't perceived the effects of the economic crisis,” said Mauro Francisco Paulino, Datafolha's director. In particular, he added, the slowdown has yet to erode the purchasing power of low-income Brazilians, the largest part of the electorate and the main base of support for Rousseff's Workers' Party.

Recent surveys by other pollsters gauged similar support, also linked to consumer confidence. The results are comparable to those enjoyed by former President Lula da Silva, Rousseff's mentor and predecessor, whose two terms in office were marked by sustained economic growth.

The Datafolha poll suggests that Rousseff, who took office in January 2011, remains untarnished by a high-profile corruption trial involving dozens of former colleagues, aides and associates from the Lula da Silva administration. The case, now before Brazil's Supreme Court, brought da Silva's administration to its knees.

Only 7% of those polled described Rousseff's government as “awful” or “bad,” with most of the disapproval coming from voters with college educations or higher. The government's approval ratings were also lower around big cities. Another 30% described the Rousseff government as ”OK”.
 

8 comments Feed

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1 British_Kirchnerist (#) Aug 16th, 2012 - 10:32 am Report abuse
Great =)
2 Alexei (#) Aug 16th, 2012 - 02:42 pm Report abuse
The majority of Rousseff's support comes from the poorly educated, ill-informed and poverty stricken section of the Brazilian population, to which the PT (Partido dos Trablhadores) throws a few crusts for votes. Unfortunately that is the biggest section of the Brazilian electorate. This voter base appears to guarantee power to the PT regardless of its mismanagement of the Brazilian economy and its questionable international alignments and policies. Democracy has its faults.
3 Yuleno (#) Aug 16th, 2012 - 03:23 pm Report abuse
Even the poorly educated,I'll informed and poverty stricken have rights and a vote in a democracy.But you Alexei,sound like you are one of this catergory of people but you only have one vote you know?
4 Guzz (#) Aug 17th, 2012 - 05:08 am Report abuse
Well Alexei, if you for decades keep your population poorly educated and poverty stricken, chances are they will vote for someone else :)
5 Alexei (#) Aug 17th, 2012 - 09:40 am Report abuse
@4 Yes, of course they will, and history has shown us that their new leftist 'leaders' invariably line their own pockets and shaft their electors at the earliest opportunity, more effectively than the lot they voted out. Of course whilst doing this, they blame outsiders and foreigners for the resultant mess. Though not a democracy as such, the current Argentina dynasty is an example of this.

Brazil is isolated from the worst effects of political nepotism and corruption by its vast resources, but the poor Brazilian people still suffer at the hands of their 'saviours'.

brazilianbubble.com/corruption-101-learn-with-lula-and-his-pt-party-how-to-steal-millions-and-still-be-loved-by-everyone
6 numnumnum (#) Aug 17th, 2012 - 02:17 pm
Comment removed by the editor.
7 Yuleno (#) Aug 17th, 2012 - 02:46 pm Report abuse
Alexei that's a well laced admission from you.Now why don't you scour history for examples of right wing fiqures who have lined their pocket.
A bit of help to start you off-
George bush 1
Ronald reagan
Stroessner
Mobutu
Now don't criticise this name selection just be honest and pick your own.
Isn't it the case that 'successful' people usually make money?
8 British_Kirchnerist (#) Aug 19th, 2012 - 03:42 pm Report abuse
#4 Exactly!

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