MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Record support for Chilean President Lagos.

The administration of Chilean President Ricardo Lagos recorded during April its highest support since taking office in 2000, 61%, which is also fourteen points above the latest reading of December 2003, according to the Fundacion Futuro opinion poll released this week.

The poll also indicates that 26% are "detractors" and 13% express no support or rejection.

As to the performance of President Lagos administration, 54% said it has been very good or good, 38% describe it as not satisfactory and 7% bad or very bad. Compared to December 2003, 54% represents a nine point advance.

Regarding the main opposition leader and presidential candidate for the conservative coalition Alliance for Chile, Joaquín Lavín, his standing dropped ten points from 62% last December to 52% in April.

Two potential presidential candidates for the ruling coalition also experienced slight downward alterations in their support according to the opinion poll. Defence Minister Michelle Bachelet dropped five points from 86 to 81% in April, and Foreign Affairs Minister Soledad Alvear fell one point and now has an 80% support.

As to the outstanding personalities, President Ricardo Lagos and Finance Minister Nicolás Eyzaguirre figure top of the list, with a 9 and 5 points advance over the December 2003 reading.

A question on the natural gas crisis following Argentina's decision to restrict surplus sales to Chile showed a majority of interviews, 66%, demanded a stronger stance vis-à-vis Argentina, while 31% feel the government must keep with the current line.

Regarding the way the government faced the energy crisis, 53% support the government's position and 43% disapprove.

When asked about the future of the energy crisis, and in spite of the Lagos administration insistence that there will be no cuts or shortages, 61% are convinced Chile will experience this winter gas and or electricity cuts, while 37% believe the government.

Another contentious issue, the day after (abortive) pill, 89% of interviews support its distribution in all the country's clinics. But 46% said women can only have the pill in cases of rape and 43% on request from a woman. Only 9% said the day after pill should not be distributed under any circumstances.

A majority of Chileans, 75%, also were against having the central government limiting funds to those regional governments that refuse to distribute the pill, while 22% support the initiative.