Ecuador's Correa popularity drops, but still high

QUITO, Dec 24 (Reuters) - Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa's popularity dropped eight points in December, but after nearly a year in office his approval rating remained high at 64 percent, a Cedatos-Gallup poll showed on Monday.

Correa, a left-wing economist who took office in January, is popular among the poor for his pledges to raise taxes on the wealthy and tough stance against foreign oil companies.

The approval rating of a temporary assembly set up by Correa to draft a new constitution plunged to 43 percent from 62 percent in November, as Ecuadoreans grew frustrated by the slow pace of reforms.

Congress, which the assembly suspended in November, had only a 19 percent popularity when it closed. The assembly is controlled by Correa's party and has lawmaking powers.

The assembly is expected to approve tax and banking reform legislation that aims to boost state control over the Andean nation's economy.

Correa's approval ratings and credibility dropped due to the 44-year-old's confrontational attitude toward opponents and the media, polling company Cedatos said.

Some analysts believe Correa could soften his reforms if his popularity continues to drop in the politically unstable country where three president have been toppled in 10 years.

The survey interviewed 1,289 people in five major cities across the country between Saturday and Sunday. It had a 3.4 percent margin of error.