The president of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silvacrosses his popularity peak since he began his third term, with an approval of the 51% which positions him as the most valued leader in South America. The improvement coincides with the launch of new social policies and an economic agenda aimed at reducing inequality.
The rebound occurs after several months of trade tension with the United States due to tariffs on Brazilian steel and in a context of tax reforms that seek to expand collection among the highest-income sectors. According to the survey, the disapproval of Lula remains around the 48%five points less than at the beginning of the year.
The survey is part of the study LatAm Pulseprepared by the consulting firm AtlasIntel and spread by Bloombergwhich measured the approval of the region’s main leaders.
Lula capitalizes on social measures
The improvement in the indicators coincides with the advancement of social programs launched by his government, including the subsidies for electricity consumption and cooking gasand a legislative proposal for exempt from income tax salaries of up to 5,000 reais (about US$930).
These measures have a broad popular support: he 84% of respondents considers them positive. Furthermore, a 63% support the idea of increase taxes on the richest sectors to finance inclusion and assistance policies.
Lula, from 79 yearspresented these projects as part of a historic agenda against inequality. “You cannot have a rich country with poor people”, he has reiterated in several public events.
Electoral advantage and regional comparison
Less than a year from 2026 electionsLula far surpasses its potential rivals. In a possible first round, he leads the governor of São Paulo, Tarcísio de Freitasby 51% to 30%already the former first lady Michelle Bolsonaroby 51% to 26%according to the same study.
The panorama contrasts with that of other South American leaders. In Argentinathe president’s disapproval Javier Milei climbed the 56%while in Chili, Gabriel Boric maintains a negative image, as does Gustavo Petro in Colombia and Daniel Noboa in Ecuadorwhich lost support after the increase in the price of diesel.
Concern among investors
Although the redistributive measures strengthened its image, they also caused concern among investorswhich warn about the tax risk to expand social spending. However, the president seems to have found a political balance: his social justice speech recovers popular support without deteriorating governability.
The survey of AtlasIntelmade between October 15 and 19 on a sample of 14,063 peoplehas a margin of error of 1 percentage point and a 95% confidence level.
Source: Ambito
