Brazil protests dent Rousseff’s popularity

Reuters/Brasilia

An opinion poll released yesterday cast fresh doubt on President Dilma Rousseff’s re-election chances next year, showing that her approval rating plummeted following massive street protests that swept Brazil last month.

The share of Brazilians who consider Rousseff’s administration “great” or “good” slumped to 31% from 55% in mid-June, putting it on par for the first time with those who disapprove of the government, according to the survey by polling firm Ibope.

The survey was the third major poll in recent weeks to show Rousseff’s popularity plumbing new lows, a remarkable turn of events for a politician who just two months ago was one of the most popular democratically elected leaders in the world.

Taken together, the polls indicate that the unexpected outpouring of discontent that shook Brazil in June has dramatically changed the country’s political landscape.

For Rousseff, that appears to mean a much tougher run for re-election in 2014 as voters clamour for change.

The protests were sparked by outrage at an increase in bus and subway fares in some cities, but quickly transformed into a nationwide movement against poor public services, rising inflation, political corruption and a host of other complaints.

If those grievances were not enough, signs that Brazil’s red-hot job market is starting to cool could mean yet another headache for Rousseff, whose administration is struggling to rekindle the economy and curb inflation at the same time.

The poll, commissioned by Brazil’s National Confederation of Industries (CNI), showed that Brazilians are growing increasingly worried about the state of the economy, which has been stuck in a rut for nearly three years.

According to the poll, Brazilians believe fighting inflation should be one of the top priorities of the government. Improvements in healthcare and crime fighting are also considered top priorities.