Rising Fuel Prices Cause Approval Ratings to Plummet for Kast, Dropping 31 Points Amid Public Frustration

Original article: Bencinas al alza y Kast a la baja: pierde 31 puntos de aprobación mientras 75% acusa el golpe de los combustibles

As fuel prices continue to rise, support for José Antonio Kast plummets, seeing a decline of 31 approval points in just seven months, with 75% of the population feeling the pinch from increased fuel costs.

This information comes from the Termómetro SWAY, a study conducted by SWAY LATAM that focuses on the evolution of public opinion regarding Kast’s administration from March to October 2026.

Analyzing 149 measurements from six different opinion studies (Cadem, Criteria, Pulso Ciudadano, Black & White, Data Influye, and CEP), along with 61 government announcements, 100 key administrative milestones, and over 18,500 published news articles from nine media outlets, the report identifies key events and policies that have contributed to the deterioration of public perception of the current government.

Regarding Kast’s significant drop in approval, the Termómetro SWAY noted that according to Cadem’s survey, support for the far-right leader dropped from 57% in March, when he took office, to 26% by the end of October, representing a reduction of 31 percentage points in seven months.

Similar trends are recorded in other opinion studies such as Criteria, where the president’s approval dropped from 46% to 25% in the same timeframe; while Pulso Ciudadano recorded a decline from 47.5% to 28.2%; in Black & White, it fell from 44% to 24%; and according to Data Influye, support decreased from 41% to 25%.

Explaining the factors contributing to the sustained drop in presidential approval, the study indicates that «trust and expectations were shattered from the first weeks» of Kast’s administration, coinciding with the so-called «gasoline hike».

At the end of March, the government uniquely suspended the stabilizing effect of the Fuel Price Stabilization Mechanism (Mepco), leading to an unprecedented hike of up to $391.5 for gasoline and $580.3 for diesel.

According to the report, between March 13 and 27, presidential approval in Cadem fell by 14 points, from 57% to 43%, with five of the thirteen economic adjustment measures announced by La Moneda coinciding with this decline.

Meanwhile, Pulso Ciudadano reported a drop in approval from 37.5% to 34.7%; Criteria noted a reduction from 50% to 43%; and Black & White stated a decrease from 44% to 36%.

The Termómetro SWAY also highlighted that during the «gasoline hike», a 3% budget cut was mandated by the Ministry of Finance, the Kast government withdrew support for former President Michelle Bachelet’s candidacy for Secretary-General of the UN, and La Moneda claimed that Chile is in «a state of bankruptcy», a statement rejected by 58% of the public.

Specifically regarding the «gasoline hike», the report’s analyzed data indicated that 75% of respondents stated they felt the impact of the fuel price increase, and 58% reported they were forced to spend less on other necessities.

«After the wallet comes leadership: the President’s authority and leadership dropped from 53% to 32%», the study emphasized.

«What Was Broken in March Was Hope»

The Termómetro SWAY stated that «what was broken» after the «gasoline hike» and other measures implemented by Kast in March was «hope».

The study indicated that according to the Criteria survey, the percentage of respondents who chose hope as their emotion fell from 53% recorded on February 6 to 29% on October 4.

According to Cadem, the number of optimists about the country’s future decreased from 62% on March 13 to 30% by October 30; while those believing the country is on the right track dropped from 57% recorded during the change of command to 23% by October 30.

The report concluded that no opinion study returned to levels preceding March, and by the end of October, public disappointment reached 54%, while hope stood at 23%, according to the results presented by Criteria.

You can review the full content of the Termómetro SWAY below.

Featured Image: Mediabanco.