Approval for the government of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) fell to its lowest level since the beginning of this third term and reached 35.5%, according to a new round of the MDA/CNT survey released this Tuesday (12). According to the survey, the percentage of Brazilians who consider the PT’s management to be excellent or good has plummeted compared to the 42.7% recorded at the beginning of the year.
The survey indicates that Lula’s personal approval rating is also declining. Currently, 49.7% of those interviewed approve of the president’s actions, compared to 45.7% who disapprove. In January, the personal approval rating was 54.7%.
The MDA interviewed 2,002 people in person between the 7th and 10th of November. The margin of error of 2.2 percentage points and a confidence level of 95%.
The survey data shows that the portion of the population that considers the government to be excellent fell to 12.2%, and those who consider it to be good are 23.3%. Those who classify the management as regular represent 32.1%, while 9.4% consider it bad and 21.4% evaluate it as terrible.
The drop in approval is accompanied by a slight increase in personal disapproval, reflecting the dissatisfaction of part of the population.
“The research shows that President Lula’s government is facing a negative fluctuation in its popularity, suggesting the need for adjustments in the conduct of government policies, especially after the results of the municipal elections. It is essential to prioritize economic actions aimed at controlling inflation and reducing interest rates”, said Marcelo Souza, director of the MDA.
The report also highlights that, despite criticism of the government, expectations for the next six months in areas such as employment, income, health, education and security show a slight improvement compared to the survey carried out in April.
In economic terms, the majority of those interviewed classified the country’s situation as “regular”, with many reporting difficulties in maintaining basic expenses. However, there is moderate optimism regarding 2025, with more positive expectations compared to 2024.
“The economy in Brazil in 2024 is seen on a regular basis. The majority of those interviewed stated that they had managed to maintain basic expenses, but with difficulties. However, expectations for 2025 are more positive than negative when compared to 2024”, says the research report.
In the electoral scenario for 2026, the survey reveals a technical tie between Lula and former president Jair Bolsonaro (PL), with 35% and 32% of voting intentions, respectively, if both decide to run again. Bolsonaro is still ineligible before the courts.
The survey also provided information about Bolsa Família, in which approximately 25% of Brazilian households receive the benefit. Among them, 69% have at least one member with informal paid work and 32% have a formal job.
When asked about a preference between the social program and a stable job, 65% of those interviewed would opt for a permanent job, while 10% would prefer just Bolsa Família and 24% would like to combine both.
“In general, the public perception is that Bolsa Família may discourage the search for employment, although many recognize its importance as necessary temporary support for low-income families”, concluded the institute.
