"Obviously, it is touching to be so popular," Yade, a 32-year Senegalese-born Muslim married to a Jewish husband, told a group of foreign reporters.
"But, then again, you have to tell yourself that popularity can come and go. I try not to think about it too much."
According to a recent opinion poll, Yade, the youngest minister, is the most popular member of the French government with 70 percent approval ratings.
She comes ahead of her boss, President Sarkozy, and other French political figures.
Just three years ago, Yade a daughter of Senegalese Muslim parents who brought her to France when she was nine, was a complete unknown figure.
She has never run for political office until chosen by Sarkozy as a spokeswoman for his presidential campaign.
Soon, the former socialist became the rising star in Sarkozy’s Union for a Popular Movement (UMP).
She was appointed as France's first-ever minister for human rights in May 2007.
Yade grew up on the outskirts of Paris, was educated in Catholic schools and is married to Socialist party member Joseph Zimet, a Jew.
She is vice-president of the Club 21st Century, a powerful lobby campaigning for ethnic diversity in French public life.
Like former Justice Minister Rachida Dati, Yade's appointment to the government was seen as breaking the longtime race barrier in French politics.
France has the largest, multi-ethnic Muslim minority in Europe, estimated at six million people.
* Rebellious
Yade, however, is not popular among all French, particularly one.
For some time, the elegant and talented minister, known for her outspoken opinions and rebellious character, was Sarkozy’s cabinet protégée.
That all changed when she began to rebel against him, criticizing his decision to invite Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi on a state visit to Paris last year.
Independent-minded Yade again infuriated Sarkozy when she declined to run for a seat in the European Parliament, insisting she was "more interested in national mandate."
The president was reportedly "deeply disappointed" by her attitude and said she had "ruined all her chances" to succeed Jean-Pierre Jouyet as Secretary of State for European Affairs.
Since then, Yade became a punch-bag for the Elysée Palace.
She was described as "an adolescent", "hollow", "lazy", and was not invited to the weekly cabinet meetings for more than three months.
When she was invited back a couple of weeks ago, Sarkozy read his papers while she talked.
Yade refuses to comment on rumors that she may be fired and her job abolished in a government reshuffle this summer.
Instead, she insists that speaking her mind out is one thing she will never compromise on.
"Human rights is a subject which is to bound cause offence. It's not true that I have a big mouth. I can be very cautious, you know, very soft," she said.
"But when you are put in charge of human rights, what are you supposed to do if not talk about them?"
Source: IslamOnline.net
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