José Antonio Kast’s Approval Plummets to 29.1% Amid Rising Disapproval and Concerns Over Crime and Economy

Original article: Desplome de Kast: aprobación cae al 29% y un 55,6 % lo desaprueba, según Pulso Ciudadano Confidence in the President Plummets 12 Points Since December: Only 23. 6% Support Kast According to the latest Pulso Ciudadano survey conducted by Activa Research and reported by CNN Chile, President José Antonio Kast’s approval rating has fallen to 29. 1% during the second half of April 2026.

The survey, conducted on a national level with 1,009 respondents and a margin of error of ±3. 1%, also indicates that his disapproval rating has surged to 55. 6%, marking a downward trend compared to the previous measurement, where support was at 33.

3%. The study cited by CNN Chile also highlights a significant deterioration in trust towards the President. Only 23.

6% of participants expressed “a lot of trust” or “some trust” in Kast, while 53. 4% reported having little or no trust at all. This figure contrasts sharply with December 2025, when his high trust levels reached 36% as an elected president, reflecting a drop of more than 12 percentage points.

Regarding the country’s direction, the survey reveals that 45. 9% of respondents believe Chile is heading in the wrong direction, compared to only 31. 6% who feel otherwise.

Additionally, 37. 6% think the country is regressing, while 35. 5% consider it stagnant.

Only 21. 5% maintain that Chile is progressing, as detailed in the Pulso Ciudadano report. Crime has emerged as the leading concern for the country, cited by 46.

5% of respondents among their top three issues. Following closely are inflation and rising prices at 33. 4%, and unemployment at 22.

1%. The economic situation is also weighing heavily on the Government: 49. 2% rated the current economy as poor or very poor, while “Net Economy” (78.

7%) surpassed “Net Security” (72. 5%). Finally, the Activa Research survey shows widespread rejection of major institutions.

The presidential cabinet garnered a 24. 1% approval rating and a 62. 7% disapproval rating.

The Congress is disapproved by 67. 8%, while the Judiciary sees a 68. 9% disapproval rate.

In contrast, firefighters lead public trust with 83. 3%, while political parties barely reach 3. 7%.