I've also noticed (albeit later in this save file) that viewing planets, even simply Earth, has begun this oddball behavior of raising or lowering the average Approval rating. It's as though my approval number at the top of the UI is some kind of estimate and that accessing these numbers per planet refines that estimate.
Has this been addressed last night // is this even an issue? Psychology sidebar: I wouldn't mind at all seeing an "estimated Approval" figure atop the UI. Like, my very best men still can't quite put together a precise number. Totally makes sense to me. I just have to wonder whether this result is an intended one.
Your two posts gave me a sigh of relief though. It was irritating, having to marvel at what new arbitrary thing was going to worm its way into my empire's approval rating. Oh, I mean, Democratic Republic.