Lula’s Popularity Plummets to 28% as Brazilians Reject Leftist Agenda, Datafolha Poll Reveals
By Hotspotorlando News
In a stunning rebuke of Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s leadership, a recent Datafolha poll shows his approval rating has cratered to a mere 28% in June 2025, down from 29% in April. The leftist icon, once hailed as a champion of the working class, now faces a surging disapproval rate of 40%, up from 38% in the same period, signaling a profound disconnect with the Brazilian people. This dramatic decline underscores a growing frustration with Lula’s policies, which many conservatives argue prioritize ideological crusades over the practical needs of everyday citizens.
The Datafolha survey, conducted June 10-11 with 2,004 voters and a margin of error of plus or minus two percentage points, paints a grim picture for Lula’s third term. While 31% of respondents view his administration as average, the downward trend in approval is undeniable. Just months ago, in February 2025, Lula’s approval hit a historic low of 24%, with disapproval peaking at 41%—the worst figures of his three terms in office. Although he has clawed back slightly, the latest numbers suggest Brazilians remain deeply skeptical of his leadership.
Conservatives point to a litany of failures as the root of Lula’s woes. Soaring food prices, a persistent issue under his watch, have hit Brazil’s poorest hardest—ironically, the very demographic Lula claims to represent. Despite campaign promises of affordable “picanha” (a popular beef cut), inflation has left many families struggling to put food on the table. A viral meme quipped that Lula’s economic policies have delivered “intermittent fasting” instead of prosperity, a sentiment echoed by millions.
Public security, another critical concern, has deteriorated, with crime rates climbing in major cities. Datafolha reports that nearly one in ten Brazilians had their phones stolen between July 2023 and June 2024, fueling perceptions of lawlessness. Lula’s recent tough talk on crime, including promises to crack down on thieves, rings hollow to conservatives who argue his administration lacks the resolve to restore order
Lula’s foreign policy missteps have also alienated key voter groups. His cozy ties with authoritarian regimes like Venezuela and Iran, coupled with controversial remarks about Israel, have cost him support among Brazil’s influential evangelical community, who view Israel as a sacred ally. The Datafolha poll reflects this, showing Lula’s approval among evangelicals languishing at just 30% in October 2024.
Meanwhile, the conservative opposition, led by figures like former President Jair Bolsonaro, continues to gain traction. Despite being barred from public office until 2030, Bolsonaro’s digital savvy and grassroots support keep him a potent force. Right-wing lawmakers, such as Nikolas Ferreira, have capitalized on Lula’s missteps, with Ferreira’s viral video slamming a proposed tax measure racking up over 300 million views. Conservatives argue this digital dominance exposes Lula’s analog approach, leaving his administration reactive and out of touch.
Economic mismanagement further compounds Lula’s troubles. The Brazilian real hit record lows against the dollar in December 2024, and the central bank’s decision to raise interest rates to 13.25% to combat inflation has squeezed businesses and consumers alike. Investors, wary of Lula’s free-spending policies, remain skittish, undermining confidence in Brazil’s economic future. Conservatives argue that Lula’s refusal to rein in public spending risks plunging the country into deeper fiscal chaos.
As Lula scrambles to reverse his slide, appointing a new communications chief and embarking on a media blitz, conservatives see a president desperate to salvage a failing legacy. His pledge that 2025 will be the “year of the harvest” for his electoral promises rings hollow to a populace weary of empty rhetoric. With municipal elections looming in 2026 and the conservative agenda gaining steam in Congress, Lula’s grip on power appears increasingly tenuous.
For conservatives, the Datafolha poll is a clarion call: Brazilians are rejecting Lula’s vision of socialism in favor of pragmatic, security-focused, and market-friendly policies. As one Rio de Janeiro voter, Anderson Vianna, put it, “We need a renewal.” With Lula’s approval teetering at 28%, the message is clear: Brazil is ready for change.
Source: Reuters, the Hindu, ElPaís, X-AI, statista, PBS