The latest Plaza Pública survey by Cadem reveals that former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet is the top‑rated leader among center‑left and leftist political groups, with 29% of respondents identifying her as the primary figure, according to a national poll conducted on October 11, 2026. This marks her as the best candidate for the 2029 presidential election within her coalition, with 41% of respondents citing her as the best candidate, while 32% approve of President José Antonio Kast’s governance and 64% disapprove.
Bachelet Maintains Strong Lead in Leftist Politics
Bachelet received 29% of votes in the survey when asked to name the main leader of center‑left and leftist parties. Gabriel Boric, the former president, followed with 19%, and Maipú Mayor Tomás Vodanovic secured 13%. Among those identifying as left or center‑left, Bachelet’s support rose to 34%, compared to Boric’s 32%, according to Cadem’s data. Ex‑ante reported similar findings, noting 47% of leftist respondents viewed Bachelet as the strongest presidential candidate, versus 44% for Boric.
Political Figures’ Public Image Ratings
In separate evaluations of political figures, Maipú Mayor Tomás Vodanovic (60%) and Valparaíso Mayor Sebastián Sichel (59%) ranked as the most positively viewed leaders, alongside former presidential candidate Evelyn Matthei (59%), Santiago Mayor Macarena Ripamonti (56%), and Ñuñoa Mayor Jaime Belollio (53%). Former president Michelle Bachelet maintained a 51% positive image, while her predecessor Gabriel Boric scored 47%. The Senate President Paulina Núñez (49%) and Chamber of Deputies President Jorge Alessandri (42%) also saw favorable ratings, though they trailed the top performers. The lowest scores belonged to Interior Minister Guillermo Ramírez (32%), National Security Minister Pamela Jiles (30%), and Education Minister Lautaro Carmona (24%). These figures showed improvements compared to earlier surveys, with Núñez gaining 7 points and Jiles 8 points since mid-October.
Did You Know?
Did You Know? Bachelet’s 47% support as a potential 2029 presidential candidate among leftist voters exceeds Boric’s 44%, according to Ex‑ante’s analysis of the same survey.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Michelle Bachelet’s primary rival in the 2029 presidential race?
Former president Gabriel Boric is the leading rival, with 19% of respondents naming him as the center‑left’s top leader and 44% of leftist voters viewing him as the stronger 2029 candidate, according to Ex‑ante.
What percentage of Chileans approve of President Kast’s leadership?
32% of respondents approve of Kast’s governance, while 64% disapprove, per the Cadem survey conducted on October 11, 2026.
How do Chileans view the Las Condes flood response?
What factors might shift public opinion ahead of the 2029 election, and how could Kast’s policies impact his re‑election prospects?
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