Chile: A survey shows rejection of the new Constitution and a sharp drop in the guarantee of Gabriel Boric's management

In the new weekly poll of the Plaza Pública de Cadem that was released this Monday brought bad news for the brand new President Gabriel Boric and for the constituents who are writing the country's new Crata Magna

The poll shows that the disapproval of the president's discharge he assumed on March 11 rose by 15 points, from 20 to 35%, in the last 15 days. While its approval fell by 5 points, to 45% -

Cadem polls are weekly polls of public opinion. Faced with the question “Do you approve or disapprove of the way Gabriel Boric is leading his government?” , on 18 March 50 per cent said they would grant the president's discharge. The same figure was maintained at the next consultation on 25 March. However, the last one on April 4, had 45% support to the Executive.

Also under the confidence in the work of the Constitutional Convention by 7 points, which translates to 44%, given that distrust in the body increased to 55%, being the highest percentage since November in 2021. With regard to the perception of agreements reached within the Convention, it also fell by 10 points to 42 per cent.

Regarding the discussions that are taking place within the Convention, 50% of the population prefers that the bicameral work of parliament with the Chamber of Deputies and that of the Senate be maintained.

Along the same lines, 72% believe that society is multicultural and not plurinational. It should be recalled that on March 24, the Convention defined that “Chile is a Plurinational and Intercultural State that recognizes the coexistence of various nations and peoples within the framework of the unity of the State”.

The perception of the Constitutional Convention

In relation to the information that reaches citizens about what the 154 conventionals are doing, 39% said they were “very” or “quite informed” of what is being discussed in the Convention.

Continuing with 25% are “somewhat informed” and 35% say they are “little or not at all informed” about the work to draft a new Constitution in the country. The latter figure also tended to fall by 13 points on the lack of information.

However, 60% declared that they were “very” or “quite interested” in what is being discussed and voted on within the constituent.

With the question whether do you think the body will be able to generate a new Constitution that will allow the changes that Chile needs to be made? 55% if you trust the changes.

The information gathered by Cadem's latest survey was through the telephone call, with a universe of men and women since the age of 18, inhabitants of all 16 regions of the country. This corresponds to 707 cases, 0.004% according to the last census of the population in Chile, which defined that there were 17,574,003 inhabitants. Although, in the methodology of the research company they state that it is a “national representation for the universe under study”

Communication at the Convention

One of the great challenges faced by the Constitutional Convention has been the communication campaign about the work they are doing, a reflection of this was the resignation of Lorena Penjean, director of communications of the body on 2 February.

In her letter of resignation, the journalist accuses that the Convention has not been able to measure up to develop a communication plan and holds responsible for her resignation to the agency's management and that there is a “communication debt of the Convention, it is a deficit resulting from a non-existent budget, but above all from factors directly dependent on the conduct of the constituents, of the Presiding Officers and, in particular, of President Quinteros”.

Faced with communication problems, the Convention's Secretary of Communications announced a new communication strategy plan to disseminate the work, within the framework of the next exit plebiscite planned for September 2022.

This plan has three stages: the budget that has already been approved and consists of $449,750 for the design agency Bercz Studio; the second phase involves a financial contribution of 385,500 USD for the extension of information to citizens about the constituent work, combating “fake news”, a budget that continues to wait for its approval; finally, it is planned to include the Secretary General of the Presidency for the information of the exit plebiscite, although this has not yet been confirmed, according to La Tercera.

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