The global enthusiasm for US President Barack Obama has fallen "significantly" since he took office in 2009, but in many countries there is still strong support for his re-election in November, according to a poll released Wednesday by the US Pew Research Centre. Confidence in Obama fell from 86 per cent in 2009 to 80 per cent in Europe, and from 85 to 74 per cent in Japan, the two regions where the US president is most popular.
But despite disappointment with some of his policies, such as growing opposition to the drone strikes in Pakistan, Yemen and elsewhere, there is still support for him to stay in office another four years in some places in the world. His re-election was favoured by large majorities in France (92 per cent); Germany (89 per cent); Britain (73 per cent); Spain (71 per cent); Italy (69 per cent); the Czech Republic (67 per cent); Brazil (72 per cent) and Japan (66 per cent).
Such strong numbers abroad contrast with his struggle for support against Republican rival Mitt Romney at home. Obama can claim only 46.3 per cent support against Romney's 44.6 per cent, according to an average of US polls calculated by the realclearpolitics.com website. But the Middle East has little desire to see him reelected, with majorities opposed in Egypt (76 per cent); Jordan (73 per cent); and Lebanon (62 per cent). In general, support for Obama's international policies has eroded since 2009. Support dropped from 78 to 63 per cent in Europe; 34 to 15 per cent in Muslim countries; 40 to 22 per cent in Russia; 57 to 27 per cent in China; 77 to 58 per cent in Japan; and 56 to 29 per cent in Mexico. The Pew Centre polled 26,000 people in 21 countries.