Following Mr Abdel Aziz's victory in the presidential election, the ruling Union pour la République (UPR) has evolved from a hastily constructed vehicle of presidential power into a fully fledged political party. The president's campaign against terrorism and his tough rhetoric on fighting corruption in public service has increased his popularity. Moreover, the return to constitutional rule has been associated with the return of global economic growth, a coincidence that Mr Abdel Aziz will take advantage of to strengthen his popularity. Meanwhile, the main opposition alliance, Coordination de l'opposition démocratique (COD)-which formed in response to Mr Abdel Aziz's presidential victory-is fragmenting. At the outset the COD refused to accept the legitimacy of the president, and it has been side-stepped by the regime in policymaking and weakened by defections to the presidential camp. The COD has since indicated that it is willing to negotiate with the president, but it will do so from a weakened bargaining position and may alienate its members in the process. In the National Assembly election scheduled for end-April 2011 the UPR is expected to build on its performance in the 2009 presidential election, gaining a majority of seats in local councils and the parliament. However, there is a possibility that opposition parties will find a way to harness popular discontent to increase their support in the polls.