Brasília - The latest CNT/Sensus poll, sponsored by the Confederation of Transportation (CNT), shows that the popularity of the Lula government has risen. The percentage of those interviewed who see the administration as doing a good job was 38.2%, compared to 29.4% in June. According to the CNT president, Clesio Andrade, the rise is probably due to the economy where jobs are being created and there has been a small upsurge in growth.

The survey found that 45% of those interviewed said the economy was having a positive effect on their quality of life. But, 65% said economic performance during the last two months had not affected them (some numbers overlap).

Asked about their income, 15.9% said their income had increased over the last six months; while 31.4% said their income fell over the last six months. With respect to the next six months, 37.9% said they expected their income to rise; 15% said their income would probably decrease.

The survey found that more Brazilians were planning to go shopping: 13.7% now say this is a good time to make purchases, while 66% say it is not.

The survey asked about the Olympic games and Brazil's athletes. A big majority, over 70%, said they think the country will do better in Athens than ever before. Almost 59% of those interviewed said the government was investing well in sports and 81% said the results of the Olympic games did have an influence on their self-esteem.

The CNT/Sensus survey took place between August 3 and 5. It interviewed 2,000 people in 195 locations around the country. The survey margin of error is 3 percentage points.

Agência Brasil
Reporter: Keite Camacho
Translator: Allen Bennett
08/11/2004