A recent PoderData poll found that 41% [1] of Brazilian adults view the government of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva as better than that of Jair Bolsonaro.
The results highlight the deep political divide within Brazil as the current administration seeks to maintain a mandate of public support. This comparison serves as a critical barometer for the effectiveness of current policies relative to the previous leadership.
The survey included 2,500 respondents [1] across Brazil. Fieldwork for the poll was conducted between May 30 and June 1, 2026 [1], with the results released today, June 5, 2026 [1]. According to the data, 37% [1] of those surveyed believe the Lula administration is worse than the Bolsonaro government.
The poll carries a margin of error of ±2 percentage points [1] and a confidence level of 95% [1].
Discrepancies exist in some reporting of the data. A separate report released on May 28, 2026, cited slightly different figures, stating that 40% [9] viewed Lula's government as better, while 39% [10] viewed it as worse. However, the primary data released this week maintains the 41% to 37% split [1, 7, 8].
The survey sought to assess public perception of the current administration's performance in direct comparison to its predecessor. The narrow gap between the two figures suggests that a significant portion of the population remains undecided or split on which leadership style and policy approach has been more beneficial for the nation.
“41% of Brazilian adults view the government of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva as better than that of Jair Bolsonaro.”
The narrow margin between the 41% who prefer Lula and the 37% who prefer Bolsonaro indicates a highly polarized electorate. With a margin of error of 2 percentage points, the lead is slim, suggesting that neither administration has achieved a definitive consensus of superiority in the eyes of the public. This stability in polarization suggests that political alignment in Brazil remains closely tied to the ideological divide between the two leaders.
