France's Sarkozy sees popularity rebound

PARIS (Reuters) - French President Nicolas Sarkozy's popularity rating has jumped to its highest level since January, boosted by his diplomatic moves and a lack of domestic industrial disputes, a survey by LH2 pollsters said on Monday.

The poll said 45 percent of French people had a positive view of Sarkozy, up 11 points on the last such LH2 survey in June, while 52 percent had a negative view, down 7 points.

Earlier this year, Sarkozy's popularity ratings hit record lows for a president in the first 12 months of his term, pounded by perceptions he was focusing too much on a glitzy personal life and not enough on France's problems.

The rebound, also reflected in other recent polls, came despite a marked slowdown in the French economy and voter concerns about the rising cost of living.

LH2 said in a commentary on the poll that Sarkozy's standing had been lifted by his high-profile trips to conflict zones Afghanistan and Georgia in August.

The pollsters said Sarkozy had also benefited from the fact there were no major industrial disputes during the summer.

Sarkozy's prime minister, Francois Fillon, also saw his popularity climb over the summer, rising 7 points since June to 52 percent. Some 39 percent had a negative view of him, down 9 points on the previous poll.

(Reporting by Crispian Balmer)