Lula maintains an approval rating of 46% and a disapproval rating of 51%, according to a Quaest poll.
The difference between approval and disapproval remains the smallest since January 2025.
247 - The most recent Genial/Quaest survey, released by g1 This Wednesday (17), indicates that the evaluation of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's (PT) government remained stable in September. According to the survey, 46% of respondents approve of the administration, while 51% disapprove. The index repeats the numbers recorded in August, with 3% who did not know or did not answer.
The data reveals that the difference between approval and disapproval remains the smallest since January 2025, when there was a technical tie (49% versus 47%). The most critical point for the government occurred in May, when 17 points separated the negative evaluation (57%) from the positive one (40%). The survey interviewed 2.004 people between September 12 and 14, has a margin of error of two percentage points and a 95% confidence level.
Performance by region and gender
Regionally, the Northeast remains the strongest stronghold of support for the government, with 60% approval, followed by the Central-West/North (45%), Southeast (41%), and South (39%). Disapproval is highest in the South (60%), Southeast (55%), and Central-West/North (52%).
Among women, the results show a virtual tie, with 48% approval and 48% disapproval. Among men, however, disapproval rose one point to 54%, while approval remained at 44%.
Age range and education level
The survey identified slight variations between different age groups. Among those over 60, there is a virtual tie (53% approve and 45% disapprove). In the 35-59 age group, 51% disapprove and 46% approve, also within the margin of error. Among young people aged 16-34, 53% disapprove and 43% approve, a difference that was 31 points in March and is now at 10.
When broken down by education level, disapproval decreases among those with a high school education (55%, compared to 57% in July), while approval reaches 42%. Among those with a primary school education, 56% approve and 41% disapprove. However, in the group with a completed higher education, disapproval remains higher (56%), compared to 41% approval.
Income and religion
Family income also influences perceptions of the government. Among those earning up to two minimum wages, 54% approve and 41% disapprove of the administration. In the 2 to 5 minimum wage bracket, there is a virtual tie (52% versus 46%). However, among those earning above five minimum wages, disapproval is widespread (60%), and approval reaches 37%.
Among Catholics, approval fell from 54% in August to 51%, bringing the total to a statistical tie with disapproval (46%). Among Evangelicals, 61% disapprove and 35% approve—although the difference has narrowed to 26 points, the smallest of the year.
Bolsa Família and the 2022 electorate
Lula's administration is performing best among beneficiaries of the Bolsa Família program, with a 64% approval rating compared to 32% disapproval. In July, this group had registered a virtual tie. Among non-beneficiaries, 55% disapprove of the government and 42% approve.
The survey also reinforces the polarization inherited from the 2022 elections. Among Lula's voters in the second round, 79% approve of his administration. Among Jair Bolsonaro's supporters, 92% disapprove of the government, while only 7% express approval.
Overall assessment and perception of Bolsonaro
In the overall assessment, 38% of respondents consider the government to be negative, 31% positive, and 28% average. Another 3% did not know or did not answer.
The institute also measured perceptions regarding Jair Bolsonaro's 27-year prison sentence for his participation in the 2022 coup plot. 49% of those interviewed considered the sentence excessive, while 35% considered it appropriate. Another 12% believed the punishment was too lenient, and 4% did not know how to answer.
Debate on amnesty
The survey also assessed Brazilians' opinions on a possible amnesty for those involved in the anti-democratic acts of January 8th. According to the data, 36% are in favor of all those involved benefiting, including former president Jair Bolsonaro. Another 10% support amnesty only for the participants in the acts, and the remaining majority opposes any type of pardon.
