Datafolha: 3rd way voter sees more responsibility from the Bolsonaro government for expensive gasoline

For most Brazilians, 68%, the government of President Jair Bolsonaro is responsible for the rise in fuel prices. The perception was identified by the Datafolha survey.

The majority, 39% declare that the Bolsonarista management has a lot of responsibility for the increase in gasoline, diesel and cooking gas. Another 29% believe that the government has at least some responsibility. In the 30% assessment, the government has no responsibility.

The Datafolha poll was conducted on Tuesday (22) and Wednesday (23) with 2,556 voters in 181 cities across the country. The margin of error is two percentage points, plus or minus.

The increase in fuel prices is one of the government’s biggest concerns, as the increasingly higher readjustments are interpreted as a risk to the president’s re-election, and has generated pressure within the government itself for a solution to soften the price for the final consumer. .

In Datafolha, when the interviewee’s political preference is evaluated, the perception of government responsibility for fuel increases changes.

Those who declare their intention to vote for Bolsonaro are divided. In this group, 54% believe that the government has responsibility, the lowest percentage in the group that considers voting intentions. In this slice, 44% believe that the responsibility is little, and only 14% say that the government has a lot of responsibility.

On the other hand, 43% of those who declare themselves to be Bolsonaro’s voters say that the current government bears no responsibility for the increase in fuel prices – the highest percentage among those who exempt the government.

Those who declare their intention to vote for candidates of the so-called third way are in the group most critical of the government. Among those who consider voting for Ciro Gomes (PDT), 87% believe that the Bolsonaro government is responsible for the rise in prices, with 54% saying that the responsibility is too much.

In the case of those who evaluate voting for Sergio Moro (Podemos), 79% say that the current government has a lot of responsibility, with 46% saying that it is very responsible.

With regard to voters who declare a preference for João Dória (PSDB), 71% say that the government has a responsibility, and 41% assess that it is a lot.

In the group that declares to vote for former president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, 71% also believe that the government has a responsibility, but this group sees a greater responsibility on the part of the government: 51% believe that Bolsonaro’s administration has a lot of responsibility.

In terms of religion, Catholics follow the average, but pay attention to the position of other religious groups.

Among evangelicals, a segment that has many bolsonaristas, 64% believe that the government has responsibility, a contingent below average. Among the Spiritists, however, 82% declare that the government has a responsibility, and 61% say that it is a lot.

In terms of region, the South is the most dissatisfied, with 72% saying that the government is responsible for the rise in fuel prices. The Northeast follows the average, but the majority, 42%, believe that the government has a lot of responsibility.

There are also important oscillations when evaluating responses by occupation.

Among wage earners who do not have a formal career, 74% say that the government is responsible for increasing fuel, with 43% saying it is a lot. A similar reading is done by civil servants: 73% believe that the government has a responsibility, with 43% saying it is a lot.

Among the unemployed who gave up looking for a job, 72% believe that the government has a responsibility, with 46% saying that it is too much.

Those who act more independently have a different view. Among businessmen, 65% say that the government has responsibility, a percentage below the average. Among them, 35% say it is a little and 30%, a lot. Another 35% say that the government has no responsibility.

In the case of self-employed and self-employed professionals, 66% say that the government has responsibility, with 38% saying it is a lot and 28%, a little. Another 33% say that the government has no responsibility.

Concerned about the repercussions of rising fuel prices, Bolsonaro has been lashing out at governors for months, claiming that ICMS helped raise the price at the pump. Now, he demonstrates the discontent of the president of Petrobras, General Joaquim Silva e Luna, for having readjusted the fuels, and the market fears that there will be a new dance of chairs at the top of the company.

The price of a barrel of oil and its derivatives face strong pressure. After plummeting during the pandemic, when social isolation limited people’s transit on a global scale, the value of oil and gas became unstable. The scenario worsened with the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, and with the escalation of sanctions that followed against the country ruled by Vladimir Putin.

The Brent barrel started the year quoted at US$ 78. Last week, it reached US$ 120, and, on Monday morning (28), it was quoted at US$ 111.73 (R$ 533 .80), with a downward trend.

Petrobras even held off the readjustments for almost two months. When he came, on Thursday (10), it was considered a blow, with a high of 24.9% for diesel at distributors, 18.8% for gasoline and 16.1% for cooking gas.

The increases hit consumers hard. According to a survey by the ANP (National Petroleum Agency), released last week, a liter of diesel was sold at R$ 6.56, on average. On the 6th, before the adjustment, it cost an average of R$ 5.91.

The liter of gasoline, in turn, went from R$6.68 to R$7.21. In some parts of the country, the liter has already reached R$ 8.95. The cubic meter of CNG (Vehicle Natural Gas), widely used by app drivers and taxi drivers, has risen about 46% since March 2021.

The 13 kg cooking gas cylinder costs, on average, R$ 113.24. In mid-September last year, when it reached R$98.33, the price was already considered high for the poorest.