El Siglo analyst Ramon Tejada Holguin reports that 65% of those polled in February showed some level of satisfaction with the administration of President Hipolito Mejia. This had declined by July to 47%, or a drop of 18 points. El Siglo points out that what is most notable is that the level of displeasure is across the board, at all income levels. Six months ago, one of every 10 people who voted for Mejia expressed some level of dissatisfaction. Today, four of every 10 voters for Mejia are not pleased with his administration. The political analyst also points out that in the February survey, 43% of those who voted for the PRSC expressed some level of displeasure with the government, while 47% said they were somewhat satisfied. By July, the percentages had changed to 80% unsatisfied and 20% satisfied, despite the apparent alliance of PRSC party leader Joaquin Balaguer with the PRD. The analyst also points out that the population equates Mejia with the government, contrary to what happened in the cases of the Balaguer and Fernandez governments. In those cases, the president’s popularity was higher than that of the government. The analyst says Mejia is seen as the government because he has appointed himself the spokesman of the government and defender of his cabinet officers.
