Brazilian President’s approval rate hits record low

Brasilia, July 28 (IANS) Brazilian President Michel Temer's approval rate has hit a record low of 5 per cent, according to a new poll.

The Ibope poll on Thursday showed 5 per cent voters viewed the government positively, 70 per cent viewed the government's performance as bad or very bad, 21 per cent regarded its performance as regular, and the remaining 4 per cent did not express their opinions, reports Xinhua news agency.

The figures marked the worst outlook for a sitting government since 1986 when the Ibope presidential poll was first launched. The previous lowest approval rate of a sitting president was in 1989 with a 7 per cent for Jose Sarney.

Temer took full office in August 2016, following his predecessor Dilma Rousseff's impeachment process.

His popularity has taken a dive since the last poll in March with a 10 per cent approval and a 55 per cent disapproval.

Temer has regarded as his main priority the austerity reform to whip Brazil's economy back into shape and exit a two-year recession, while critics say his controversial reforms will heighten burdens on the poor.

Several states, including Rio de Janeiro, are suffering severe economic problems, while the federal government has been hesitant to offer aid.

Although Brazil's economy registered a slight 1 per cent GDP growth in the first quarter of 2017, experts predicted that indicators for the second quarter are not promising with high unemployment and a stagnating industry.

In addition, Temer is facing corruption charges for receiving a bribe from a major meatpacking company. The Chamber of Deputies will vote on whether the charges should be accepted by the Supreme Court.