Cadem Poll: 58% Reject Letting Kast Decree New Security State of Exception Alone

A Plaza Pública Cadem survey released August 20 found 58% of respondents oppose letting President José Antonio Kast decree the new security-focused constitutional state of exception (part of his ACOT — Agenda contra el Crimen Organizado y el Terrorismo — reform, signed August 10 and sent to Congress) unilaterally for up to 240 days, versus 37% in favor; support rises to 52% if the measure is conditioned on congressional authorization. The wider security agenda draws 50% approval versus 39% disagreement, and individual powers split sharply: asset seizure from criminal organizations (88%) and Armed Forces support for Carabineros (78%) are the most popular measures, while intercepting communications (46%), restricting freedom of movement (40%) and limiting freedom of assembly (27%) are the least. 51% of respondents said no constitutional reform is needed at all, since the state already has sufficient tools. Kast's approval slipped to 39% (-2pp) with disapproval at 56% (+3pp) in the poll's third week of August wave.