Survey finds Obama retains wide approval in Europe as support wanes at home

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Survey: Obama retains wide approval in Europe

WASHINGTON — A new poll finds that President Barack Obama retains substantial numbers of fans in Europe even though his popular support has softened at home.

More than three-quarters of those polled in 11 European Union countries say they approve of Obama’s handing of international policies. That compares with just over half of Americans.

The annual survey was conducted by the German Marshall Fund of the United States and an Italian research center.

It found that Europeans were not as enthusiastic about some of Obama’s policies, with just under half approving of the U.S. president’s handling of Afghanistan and Iran.

Obama’s overall approval ratings dipped slightly in Europe since last year’s poll, from 83 percent to 78 percent.