MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Chile: Boric's image plunges and Matthei's soars

In case of a runoff, Matthei would prevail against any possible rival

Chilean President Gabriel Boric Font's disapproval has plunged to 70%, matching previous high records from Jan. 2023 and May 2024, while his approval stood at 27%, according to the latest Cadem Plaza Pública survey released in Santiago during the weekend.

Regarding this year's elections, the study found Evelyn Matthei leading voting intention with 20%, followed by José Antonio Kast (14%) and Carolina Tohá (12%), with Johannes Kaiser and Gonzalo Winter tied at 6%. In case of a runoff, Matthei is projected to win against all opponents:

 

Boric's disapproval of 70% was also achieved following the murder of three carabineros (police officers) in Cañete in 2024 and the controversy over pardons in late 2022/early 2023. His approval rating fell four points from 31% to 27%.

The survey, conducted via telephone with 705 participants from 192 communities (90% urban, 10% rural), also noted that 1% were unsure or did not respond, and 2% neither approved nor disapproved of Boric’s performance.

These results were published just days after the Public Opinion Survey #93 by the Center of Public Studies (CEP) was released last week, showing Matthei with 15% of the voting intention, followed by Kast's 11%. The study also found Boric to have a 66% disapproval, the lowest since the beginning of his government.

On the other hand, 42% of interviewees believe that the Peace Commission seeking to resolve the Mapuche conflict in the southern macro zone of the country will contribute little or nothing, 32% believe it will help a lot, and 25% think it will contribute something.