Minister of Communication says there is “no logical explanation” for Chinchilla’s low approval rating

March 14^th, 2013 (InsideCostaRica.com) Communication Minister, Francisco Chacon, said there is no logical explanation for the result of a recent survey by polling company Unimer in which 55% of Costa Ricans said they disapprove of President Laura Chinchilla’s job performance.

“Costa Rica is on the right track, there is no logical and rational explanation (for the poll results).  We have been affected by the international (financial) crisis and the inefficiency of the Costa Rican State.  I have no clear-cut answer,” Chacon said.  He also attributed the low approval ratings in part on the population being disenchanted with politics.

Chacon said they have hard data to demonstrate they have done well, including the growth of exports and tourism, economic growth, controlled inflation and a lower perception of insecurity among the population.

Regarding Costa Rican’s concerns about the job market and the increasing cost of living, Chacon said the government has been taking steps to address the situation and that rising interest rates as well as the rising cost of electricity could both be playing a role in citizens’ sentiments.

“Certainly there are some factors that are affecting the cost of living, we’ve called on banks since last October, we have just spoken with the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE), and the Regulatory Authority for Public Services (asking them) to revise their (pricing) methodology,” he said.

Costa Rican’s feelings regarding their president have worsened slightly since last October, when Unimer conducted its previous survey.  At that time, 53% of Costa Ricans said they disapproved of Chinchilla’s job performance.

The survey of 1,200 people was conducted across the country between January 24th and February 4th. It has a margin of error of 2.8 percentage points and a confidence level of 95%.