Public Perception of Government Policies: 73% Believe Benefits Favor Large Corporations, According to Criteria

Criteria Unveils Majority Criticism: Public Perception of Government Law Favors Large Corporations

The latest Agenda Criteria survey, conducted on April 26, 2026, reveals a challenging landscape for President José Antonio Kast’s administration, with disapproval ratings at 49% surpassing approval ratings at 38%, highlighting a persistent gap in public assessment.

The poll, which included 825 nationwide cases collected online between April 22 and 23, indicates that even with a slight one-point increase in approval, it fails to reverse a sustained trend of negative public evaluation. Furthermore, 43% of respondents consider the government’s handling of the ongoing emergency to be inadequate, while only 37% rate it positively.

At the center of the debate is the Economic and Social Reconstruction and Development Bill, widely recognized by the public: 79% report having heard or read about the initiative. However, this high awareness does not translate into clear support, as only 37% back the proposal, while 39% remain neutral, and 24% express opposition.

One of the most critical findings of the study highlights perceptions of who benefits from the project. A striking 69% believe it will favor high-income individuals, in contrast to just 30% who think it will benefit low-income sectors. This disparity raises questions about the initiative’s redistributive aims.

The assessment is even more categorical regarding its impact on businesses: 78% perceive that the project will benefit large corporations, while only 28% believe it will support smaller enterprises. Accordingly, 51% assert that the law is primarily designed to aid large companies and high-income individuals.

Expectations are equally grim, with only 38% expressing confidence that wages will improve and 39% believing that job growth will rise, indicating a lack of faith in the structural effects of the project. This is particularly sensitive given that job creation has been a key focus of the government’s discourse.

The survey also touches on Michelle Bachelet’s candidacy for the United Nations Secretary-General, with 48% considering her candidacy to be generally positive for the country—a 3-point increase since the October 2025 measurement. In contrast, 32% rate it as mostly negative, reflecting a 1-point decline from the same measurement. Regarding the Chilean government’s withdrawal of support for her candidacy, 37% agree with this decision, marking a 9-point drop since March 2026, while 42% (a 6-point increase) express disagreement or strong disagreement with this decision.

In summary, the survey presents a scenario where the government faces complex public evaluation: majority disapproval, perceptions of inequity in its key policies, and a flagship project that, despite high recognition, fails to generate sufficient confidence regarding its social benefits.

Access the Criteria survey at the following link: