Research Insights: Can a Crisis Reduce Trust in the President to the Point that Citizens Do Not Accept Fiscal Reforms or Economic Sacrifices Intended to Overcome It?

Survey data for Argentina and Uruguay do not show a decline in trust in the president among those whose health was compromised by COVID-19. Over time, trust in the president increased in Uruguay and declined in Argentina among the population at large. Evidence on support for greater economic sacrifices was mixed. Compared to the population in general, those whose health or that of their loved ones was affected by the virus showed more support for the economic sacrifices necessary to exit the pandemic.