Chile and Bolivia see plunging approval amid contested reforms

In Chile, a Data Influye poll conducted three months into President José Antonio Kast's administration found that a majority of Chileans reject the core elements of the government's neoliberal "megarreforma". Respondents highlighted concerns over inflation, cost of living, employment and growth, with 50% viewing the reform package as a setback and only 31% seeing it as progress. Former minister and senator Carlos Ominami urged the government to negotiate with opposition parties, proposing concessions such as reduced corporate tax rates and changes to foreign investor rules, a stance critics argue ignores widespread public discontent.

In Bolivia, President Rodrigo Paz's approval rating has fallen to 38% while disapproval rose to 45% after just over seven months in office. The decline follows an inherited economic crisis marked by a volatile currency, fuel shortages, inflation and stagnant growth. The rapid erosion of political support reflects growing public impatience for tangible results in a region where traditional “honeymoon” periods for new governments are disappearing.