MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Majority of Argentines optimistic, but?

According to a public opinion poll published over the weekend in the Buenos Aires press a majority of Argentines feel optimistic about the future and believe the country's situation will improve in the near future. Similarly the level of support for President Nestor Kirchner remains particularly high.

The Consultora Equis poll involved 5,683 people from all over Argentina with 74,4% declaring themselves optimistic and 25,6% not optimistic. This feeling doubles optimism during the best spells of President Fernando de la Rúa administration, 1999-2001, and is five times that recorded under President Eduardo Duhalde, 2002-2003.

Current optimism is solid in spite the fact that an overwhelming majority of those interviewed admitted that signals of an improvement in the labour market or a decrease in poverty (that affects 60% of the Argentine population), is still weak.

Although President Kirchner is from the extreme south of the country the optimism feeling was stronger in the northwest and northeast of the country, (some of the poorest areas of Argentina), 84 and 82%. Patagonia recorded 78,7%, Buenos Aires and metropolitan area 74,7% and the west of the country 71%.

Those who feel less enthusiastic about the future of the country live in Cordoba, La Pampa, Santa Fe and inland Buenos Aires province with a 68,3% optimism rating.

Mr. Kirchner's image remains positive for 70% of those interviewed and has only dropped ten point since taking office last May 25.

Mr. Kirchner's style of government, flesh-pressing and baby kissing, breaking protocol, austerity combined with his permanent activity and how he confronts domestic and international challenges make up his positive standing.

However only three out of ten interviewed believe the Argentine situation has improved and 50% stress that there's no palpable evolution in these four and half months of Mr. Kirchner's administration.