Kast’s Support Diminishes Among Voters: Surveys Show Historic Low Approval Amid Sentence Reduction Crisis

Original article: Kast pierde respaldo entre sus propios votantes: encuestas registran mínimos históricos de aprobación en plena crisis por rebajas de penas

According to leading surveys, the approval rating of José Antonio Kast has hit historic lows, highlighting a growing public discontent and a loss of support among his own voters amidst the crisis triggered by the reduction of sentences for individuals convicted of sexual crimes against children and adolescents.

The latest measurement from Pulso Ciudadano for October 2026 indicates that the approval rating of the far-right leader decreased by 6.1 percentage points to 22.1%, marking a historic low in the Activa Research survey. His disapproval rating reached 67.5%, reflecting an increase of 9.9 percentage points since September.

According to Pulso Ciudadano, trust in the president also plummeted to historic lows, with just 16.1% of respondents expressing «very much or total» confidence in the president. Meanwhile, 22.7% indicated medium confidence, and 61.2% reported little or no confidence.

Moreover, a survey by Agenda Criteria, released on November 1, revealed that the public approval of the president stand at 25%, two percentage points lower than the previous week’s measurement. Meanwhile, disapproval rose by one point, reaching 65%, with 10% of respondents unsure about evaluating his performance.

These approval and disapproval figures are the most unfavorable for Kast since he took office as President of Chile on March 11.

According to the latest Plaza Pública poll from Cadem, Kast has an overall approval rating of 26%, while 69% of respondents disapprove of his management.

Furthermore, the opinion study found that Kast’s approval plummeted by 10 points among those who voted for him in the 2025 runoff election, dropping from 69% in September to 59% in October.

This situation aligns with the scandal that erupted upon learning that 56 decrees from the Ministry of Justice, signed between March and September 2026, benefited 27 individuals convicted of sexual abuse and 29 for rape, all against minors, as well as individuals sentenced for crimes against humanity. This has led to the resignation of Deputy Justice Minister Luis Silva, an announcement for a constitutional complaint against Minister Fernando Rabat, and discontent regarding the continued service of the Secretary of State.

Rejection of Rabat’s Continuation as Minister of Justice

Agenda Criteria posed the following question to its respondents: «How much do you agree or disagree with President José Antonio Kast’s decision to keep Fernando Rabat as Minister of Justice after the government acknowledged an error in granting sentence reductions?»

A strong 72% disagreed or strongly disagreed with Kast keeping Rabat in office.

The rejection of this decision stands at 93% among those identifying politically with the left; 78% among those identifying as centrist, and 54% of those aligned with the right. Additionally, 70% of those without any political affiliation expressed disapproval of Rabat continuing as Secretary of State.

According to Pulso Ciudadano, 74.2% of respondents oppose Kast’s decision to retain Fernando Rabat as Minister of Justice and suggest he should resign.

Similarly, from Cadem, 70% of respondents reject Rabat’s continuation in the role.