According to Datafolha poll, 87% of Brazilians Support Truckers' Strike

05/30/2018 - 11h48

While Brazilians are not willing to pay the bill that demonstrators passed along to the federal government, they are massively in favor of the truckers' strike and believe that it should continue.

That's what was demonstrated by a Datafolha poll that surveyed 1500 people by phone on Tuesday (the 29th). The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 3%.

Approximately 87% of interviewees approve of the truckers' strike, which, despite having lost strength, will set up roadblocks for the 10th straight day on Wednesday, the 30th. 10% positioned themselves against the demonstrations while 2% said they were indifferent. 1% of respondents weren't sure how to position themselves.

When asked whether they believed the strike should continue, 56% of respondents replied in the affirmative while 42% felt that it should be brought to an end.

	Raul Spinassé / Ag. A Tarde
	Demonstrators protest in Salvador

Support for the movement is noticeably homogeneous, particularly when comparing the results obtained in the country's different regions. Support was lower, however, among the wealthiest and the oldest respondents.

What caused the strike was the price of diesel that is regulated by state-run oil company Petrobras and is in accordance with international price fluctuations. The recent increase in the price of oil, coupled with a stronger dollar, led to price adjustments which, in turn, sparked protests.

The poll found that Brazilians do not want to be penalized with higher taxes or see federal budget cuts in order for the demands of truckers to be met.

Approximately 10% of those interviewed approve of such measures, while 87% do not. Respondents also maintained that the government will end up favoring businessmen and truck drivers and shifting the burden on the population.

Translated by THOMAS MATHEWSON

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