MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Brazil’s President Rousseff ends her first year with a popularity of 73%
Dilma Rousseff, no questioning about her command Brazil’s first woman president Dilma Rousseff popularity climbed in December to reach 72%, almost the same level, 73%, when she took office January first 2011, according to a public opinion poll from Ibope released earlier this week.
Rousseff who succeeded one of Brazil’s most popular presidents in recent history, Lula da Silva (2003/2010) had dropped last July to 67%.
In September Ms Rousseff began to recover lost ground, even when her government was exposed to a spat of corruption allegations involving several ministers.
In effect the cabinet inherited from Lula da Silva suffered five losses on corruption (cabinet chief, transport, labour and employment, agriculture and tourism) and a sixth, Defence, who had to step down for openly criticized his cabinet peers and Rousseff’s advisors.
The popularity of the Brazilian administration also improved: 56% consider it good (compared to 51% in September), 32% acceptable (34% three months ago) and 9% bad against 11%.
The survey contracted by the Brazilian National Industry Confederation, CNI was done between December 2 and 5, and included 2002 interviews with an error margin of plus/minus two percentage points.
Pollsters explain that President Rousseff’s determination to weed out those cabinet members or top officials linked to corruption claims boosted her public opinion standing and demonstrated she was no longer a Lula da Silva ‘puppet’.
In effect Ms Rousseff never held an elected post but was always recognized as a top government technician and these qualities were chosen by Lula da Silva to finger her out as his successor.
Undoubtedly Lula da Silva’s Midas touch in politics and his incredible popularity on stepping down (in the eighties) were crucial for Ms Rousseff victory on recommendations to voters from her political mentor.
But the Lady is also showing she has grit and nerves to run Latin America’s largest economy.
Top Comments
Disclaimer & comment rules-
-
-
Read all commentsWhere's Geoff?
Dec 22nd, 2011 - 05:41 am 0Popularity of 73%, not bad at all.
This is great news for Brazil and our syster Dilma, lets hope things keep getting better for them, I hear they are doing great in the renewable fuel industry.
Dec 22nd, 2011 - 05:43 am 0Numbers aren't bad because employment figures are still good. If the economy's mood worsens - which is not unlikely - so will the government's approval ratings.
Dec 22nd, 2011 - 05:53 am 0Commenting for this story is now closed.
If you have a Facebook account, become a fan and comment on our Facebook Page!