Brasília, March 29, 2004 (Agência Brasil) - A poll conducted by the Ibope (Brazilian Institute of Public Opinion and Statistics) at the request of the National Confederation of Industry (CNI), and whose results, announced Friday (26), indicate a drop in the approval ratings of the federal government and President Lula, reveals the population's concern over the economic situation.

In answer to a question that allowed multiple responses, interviewees considered that the most important activities for the government in the next two years are: reducing taxes (34%), lowering inflation (28%), and helping people who want to start their own businesses (27%).

With regard to the generation of jobs, evaluations worsened; nearly two-thirds of the respondents (63%) disapprove of the government's performance in combatting unemployment. The disapproval rate with respect to the battle against inflation also rose, from 38% to 53% in three months.

When asked about the increase in the cost of Social Security contributions, 55% of the interviewees disapproved, while 35% approved. As for interest rate policy, the disapproval rate grew from 43% to 50%.

The majority of those polled said they were in favor of the decision by Lula's Administration to close all the bingo parlors in the country. 53% agreed with the shutdown, while 36% think that the government made a mistake, because "thousands of working people were left without jobs." In the area of public safety, the disapproval index rose from 56% to 59%.

PLUS MARKS FOR SOCIAL POLICY

With respect to social programs, some of the government's actions continue to register a positive balance. In the war against hunger and poverty, the poll, which listened to 2000 people, revealed a 59% approval rating. In the last survey, conducted in December, 2003, the approval rating was 73%.

The government's performance in social programs in the areas of health and education were also viewed favorably, with a 53% approval rating, even though this was 8% less than in December.

Translator: David Silberstein