MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Majority of Chileans believe corruption is “widely spread”

Even when Chile figures as the least corrupt country in Latinamerica, the general perception among the Chilean population according to the latest public opinion surveys is that “corruption is widely spread”.

Transparency International in its latest "Corruption Perception Index" report made public this month ranks Chile 20 among the world's 163 countries, ahead of Spain and at the same level as United States. The second best country in Latinamerica is Uruguay, ranked 28.

However following a recent scandal in the Sports Ministry involving "illegal funds" for certain distinguished names of the political system and which apparently the Chilean Executive tried to dilute by denying votes in Congress for an investigation committee, public opinion polls show that 61.2% of Chileans believe corruption is widely extended in the country.

Furthermore the poll contracted by the country's main newspaper El Mercurio indicates that President Michelle Bachelet standing has been affected by the so called "Chiledeportes" scandal.

The survey also shows that 65% of those interviewed believe the announced Bachelet administration's measures to address the issue are considered "insufficient" and there's a strong reaction to the government's decision not to name a Congressional investigation committee.

Apparently public opinion was also taken aback by the Interior Minister Belisario Velasco statement that the issue "is in the hands of the court and there's no need for Congress to intervene". This attitude had a significant impact following revelations from ruling coalition members' claim that "Casa de la Moneda" (GH) was putting pressure not to let the issue be addressed by Congress, as the opposition was demanding.

Surprisingly however, instead of supporting the opposition's stance that they will not discuss this year's national budget until an investigation committee is named, 64.5% of those interviewed believe the Executive and the opposition Alianza should sit round a table and reach a political agreement to put an end to corruption actions, which the extended opinion, 63.8%, is that it has increased.

Apparently the opposition's strategy to block the budget debate is equally condemned by 57% of interviews.

Another 41% admitted that corruption claims makes them think twice about leader and party allegiances.

The Opinion-El Mercurio public opinion poll was done November 10, by phone in metropolitan Santiago, interviewing 400 adults over 18 with a plus minus 5 points error margin. The "Chiledeportes" has been media headlines since October 21.