But many people believe that Mr. Mugabe revived the land issue two years ago to bolster his flagging popularity and to reward his political allies.

The Deacon stages an assassination attempt in order to help Cyclops' flagging popularity (a reference to the Reagan assassination attempt the year before).

Rather, she said, he was looking to shore up his flagging popularity and raise money from wealthy Texans.

The Israeli offensive is overwhelmingly supported by the Israeli public, and it has boosted Mr. Sharon's flagging popularity, according to polls published Friday.

Napoleon III fired Haussmann on 5 January 1870 in order to improve his own flagging popularity.

In the case of Trujillo, "Nothing promises to reinvigorate his flagging popularity more than to face up to the Yankee aggressor in the name of la patria."

A strong French "yes" would bolster Mr. Mitterrand's flagging popularity at home and increase his prestige in Europe.

Some said they feared that President Alberto K. Fujimori of Peru might turn to a show of military strength to bolster his flagging popularity as presidential elections approach in 2000.

The Handbook of Texas described the 1962 variety program as an unsuccessful attempt by Rogers and Evans to "revive their flagging popularity".

Then the Chancellor's energetic but careful response to events in the East boosted his flagging popularity.