According to a recent report by Torcuato Di Tella University, public trust in the government fell by nearly 14% in August compared to July. This marks the lowest point since President Milei assumed office.
The Government Trust Index survey was conducted in the first two weeks of August, with its release following a week after an alleged bribery scandal began to shake the administration. Milei’s sister and Presidency Secretary Karina Milei, along with other public officials, face allegations of accepting kickbacks from drug companies in return for contracts with the national disability agency. The report arrives as local legislative elections in Buenos Aires province approach on September 7, alongside the national legislative race on October 26.
The Di Tella University index measuring public trust in the government relies on a nationwide monthly survey conducted since 2001. The scale, ranging from 0 to 5, dropped to 2.12 points in August. This marks the lowest point for the market since Milei assumed the presidency in December 2023. The report states that the decline disrupts the “relative stability seen in the previous four months.” The last low point occurred nearly a year ago, when it dropped to 2.16. The trust index for Milei’s government stands at 2.4 points after his first 20 months as president. This is slightly below ex-President Mauricio Macri (2.5) and higher than Alberto Fernández’s ratings (2.1) during that same period.
The Di Tella survey indicated a significant decline in public trust in the government across all measured aspects, with the most notable drop being the administration’s level of concern for the population’s well-being (-18%). The Argentines’ confidence in the government’s ability to address the country’s issues fell by 14%, while perceptions of efficiency in public spending decreased by 13%. Overall opinions of the government dropped by 12%, and views on public officials’ honesty declined by 10%.
The scandal : The bribery accusations scandal continues to unfold. New recordings purportedly linked to former disability agency head Spagnuolo emerged on Monday during the streaming show Data Clave, which initially released the first set of audios. A voice, allegedly Spagnuolo, stated he “does not understand” how the bribery operations could have begun “in such a short time,” seemingly alluding to the duration of Milei’s time in power.
In additional audio recordings, seemingly captured during phone conversations, he made remarks not directly tied to the bribery investigation, referencing various government officials, including Vice President Victoria Villarruel. He states, “she is fed up” with the government. “I don’t understand how they are not considering what would happen if she goes in the opposite direction.” One of the owners of drug company Suizo Argentina, suspected of coordinating the bribery scheme between the government and other firms, has surrendered to the judiciary. Jonathan Kovaliker, wanted by police since Thursday, submitted his phone at the Comodoro Py court on Monday, yet he was not arrested.