Support for Chilean President Sebastian Piñera and his government is plummeting, to just six and five percent, respectively, reveals a poll published today.

The survey, conducted by the Center for Public Studies (CEP), a foundation presented as academic, private and non-profit, focused on the state of public opinion following the start of the vast popular protest movement.

The poll was conducted between the end of November 2019 and January 6, 2020, using direct interviews with 496 people over 18 years of age, from urban and rural sectors in 110 municipalities of the country.

Among other data, it revealed that 82 percent of those consulted consider that Piñera and his government acted badly or very badly in the face of the social upheaval that began on October 18.

The previous CEP poll, conducted in May 2019, already showed a decline in the president's popularity, with a 25 percent approval rating and 50 percent rejection at that time, but events at the end of the year marked a violent decline in his support.

Regarding the widespread protests, 55 percent support the continuation of the demonstrations, 27 percent of those surveyed said they had attended a protest, and 31 said they had participated in pot-banging protests in the streets, while 81 percent reject police use of rubber bullets and pellets against demonstrators, and only seven percent justify such actions.

With respect to the constitutional process, 67 percent said they will vote for a new Constitution in the plebiscite scheduled for April 26, 13 percent will reject it, and 20 percent are not yet decided.