Arias Popularity On The
Down Slide
According to a
CID-Gallup poll, the
popularity of Costa
Rican president, Oscar
Arias, has suffered a
sharp decrease in the
last three months.
The poll published in
the daily La República
shows that only 39% of
Costa Ricans consider
the work by Arias as
"good or very good",
while 12% of Costa
Ricans polled feel that
his work is "regular or
poor".
Last April, 46% of Costa
Ricans polled believed
that the president was
doing a "good or very
good". The results in
April were the highest
ever for Arias.
The drop in popularity
can be attributed to the
constant promoting of
the Tratado de Libre
Comercio (TLC), the
breaking of diplomatic
ties with Taiwan, the
perception that the cost
of living is increasing
and the weak punishment
for criminals.
Those polled say they
recognize the work Arias
is doing to help the
poor, providing housing
bonds and increasing old
age pensions.
Arias, questioned on the
results of the poll,
says that his decisions
are part of the workings
of government, although
he understands the
perceptions of the
people.
"I know that there are
some decisions, like the
breaking from Taiwan to
begin relations with
China, are not seen very
well by a large number
of the population", said
Arias.
On the subject of the
TLC, Arias reminded that
his campaign for the
approval of the trade
deal with the United
States started with his
election campaign.
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