Business owners backing President Bolsonaro, says poll

After a stubbornly fought 2018 election campaign which fractured Brazil, Jair Bolsonaro was always set to be a divisive president, not helped by his own unapologetic persona. But the government’s struggles to keep its promises of sweeping reforms and liberal economic measures quickly plunged Mr. Bolsonaro’s approval ratings to the lowest-ever for a first-term head of state. However, a new poll shows that at least one group remains faithful to the new government: business owners.

According to a nationwide poll sponsored by BTG Pactual bank, 59 percent of 1,000 businessmen consulted in April considered the government’s performance as “good” or “great.” Though not statistically comparable, due to the differences in sample size and methodology, Mr. Bolsonaro’s performance is much better than among overall voters—39 percent.

Although we can make a case that the government hasn’t accomplished much during its first...