MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Confidence in Kirchner remains strong.

Even when 64% of Argentines have a positive opinion of the Nestor Kirchner administration, the confidence index has dropped to its lowest since the former Santa Cruz governor took office May 25, almost a hundred days ago.

The monthly Confidence Index elaborated by the Government School Department of the Torcuato Di Tella University in a 0 to 5 scale, indicates that during September confidence in Mr. Kirchner reached 2,87 points, 10% less than in August.

July recorded the highest index with 3,26.

However the University also points out that the poll was taken before the signing of the agreement with the IMF and the recent electoral victories in Buenos Aires city and Buenos Aires province of candidates supported by President Kirchner.

The Confidence Index besides the image of the administration includes questions on the overall performance, sound spending of public funds, if its members are honest, if they have the capacity to solve the country's problems.

The latest opinion poll showed that 64% of the Argentine population have a positive image of the Kirchner administration; 55% that they are committed to governing for the public interest; 80% believe the president and his aides can solve the country's problems but they need time.

Another 44% believe public funds are managed efficiently and 45% that most of Mr. Kirchner's government officials are honest. A 12% drop from August.