French President Hollande's popularity inches up from record lowMay 26, 2013 - 17:17 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - French President Francois Hollande's popularity rating inched up in May from a record low the previous month, a poll showed on Sunday, May 26 a rare positive sign after a first year in office marked by rising unemployment, Reuters reported. Hollande's approval rating rose by 4 percentage points to 29 percent in May, as perceptions improved among his own Socialist Party voters, pensioners, blue-collar workers and women, the survey by pollster IFOP in weekly paper JDD showed. The Socialist leader has carried out two major reforms, loosening labor laws and allowing same-sex marriage, since he took office last May, as well as ordering a military operation in Mali to help oust Islamist fighters. However, he has been plagued by unemployment that has risen above 10 percent, stalled growth and pressure to reduce France's public deficit, while his same-sex marriage law has infuriated a swathe of French society and prompted huge street protests. His low popularity score is worse than almost all previous presidents at the same point in their terms. Views of his policies are still declining among business leaders, shopkeepers and right-wing voters, and remain negative on the far left. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Government reveals details from Pashinyan’s meeting in border village Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has met with a group of residents of a border village in Armenia’s northern Tavush province Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28. Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia. Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports. |