FRANCE: The number two in the IMF, John Lipsky, will act in the absence of DSK

The International Monetary Fund will take in an "informal" Sunday a special meeting of its board of directors after the arrest Saturday in New York's chief executive, Dominique Strauss-Kahn announced the institution.

"It is expected that the board will hold an informal meeting today to be kept informed of developments relating to the Chief," said the Fund in a statement.

"In accordance with normal procedures of the IMF, John Lipsky, first deputy managing director, is interim CEO when the CEO is not in Washington. Mr.Lipsky will chair the informal meeting of the board today, "the IMF added.

The Egyptian-American-British "Nemat Shafik, the Assistant Director General who oversees the work of the IMF in a number of countries of the European Union, will attend the Eurogroup meeting on Monday in Brussels," has also announced the IMF.

Strauss-Kahn had originally planned to attend the meeting of finance ministers of the euro area.

The IMF board is composed of representatives from 24 countries and country groups. It may initiate disciplinary proceedings against the Director General in cases of "serious violations" of the code of conduct for officials of the institution.

MEXICO: 85 000 people protested against violence related to drug trafficking

More than 85,000 people, according to an estimate of city officials, marched silently Sunday in Mexico City against the violence unleashed by drug traffickers and the military response of the state, culminating in a march of four days left Thursday for Cuernavaca 90 km south of the Mexican capital.

The march "for peace, security and justice" was launched at the initiative of the poet and journalist Javier Sicilia, whose son was murdered in March.At the head of a crowd carrying a silent sea of ​​white balloons bearing the names of victims of violence, Javier Sicilia entered in the late afternoon on the Zocalo, the huge central square of Mexico, while only were heard the bells of the cathedral.

Protesters call for end to violence by drug traffickers and the rapid withdrawal of the 50,000 soldiers who have to confront the drug cartels since December 2006, the date of arrival in power of President Felipe Calderon.

According to official figures, this offensive has killed 34,600 between December 2006 and December 2010.According to estimates by the press, more than 3,000 additional people have died since early 2011.

"We want to give the faces, names, dates, each of these 40,000 victims has left behind this deadly strategy," told AFP Javier Sicilia from the event.

"National security is not only letting the troops on the street is a lot of other things," he said."We have to sit around a table and think about strategy, because what has been done so far has been a mistake."

The march had started on Thursday in the city of Cuernavaca, 90 km south of the Mexican capital - where last March 28, were found dead in a car and a son of Javier Sicilia, Juan Francisco, and six other people showing signs of torture. The killings were attributed by the government to a cartel of drug traffickers.

This is the second protest called by Javier Sicilia since the death of his son.The next initiative will be the signing of a pact in June for the national dignity, in Ciudad Juarez, northern Mexico, the city hardest hit by violence, with more than 3,000 deaths in 2010.

Leading the demonstration, carrying the flag of Mexico, also appeared Sunday Julian LeBaron, leader of a Mormon community in the state of Chihuahua (northern), whose son was murdered after being abducted."I'm here to be remembered for an end to impunity."

Behind him, holding his arms, marched Javier Sicilia and other relatives of victims with dozens of posters bearing the pictures of men and women dead or missing in the past four years.

Practicing Catholic, the poet had begun the day from the campus by a group prayer with other supporters. On the way, joined the procession Solalinde Father Alejandro, an advocate for immigrants from Central and South America who pass through Mexico to reach the United States.In August 2010, 72 immigrants from these regions had been murdered in a town north of the country by the cartel Zetas, a gang formed by former military elite of the Mexican army.

Diplomatic wrangling, one year after air tragedy of Smolensk

On April 10, 2010, a Tupolev carrying President Lech Kaczynski and other senior Polish officials, crashed while attempting to land in heavy fog at Smolensk, killing its 96 occupants.

A plate that contained only inclusion in Polish, recalled that the late Polish President went to Smolensk for the 70th anniversary of the massacre of Katyn, near Smolensk in 1940.22,000 Polish officers were shot there by the Soviet secret police.

But on the eve of the anniversary of the plane crash, a new plaque was placed by the Russian authorities on the memorial that do not refer to the tragedy of Katyn, causing anger among Poles.

A Polish spokesman raised the possibility that President Bronislaw Komorowski, who must travel to Smolensk Monday does not file a wreath at the new plaque.

Sunday in Warsaw, several hundred nationalists demonstrated outside the Russian embassy.

The Russian governor of Smolensk Sunday justified the absence of any reference to Katyn massacre on the new plaque at the site of the plane crash in which he had died a year ago the former Polish president and 95 other responsible.

"This is the place where we mourn the dead from the plane that crashed, not when we mourn the tragedy Polish" Katyn, told the press the governor of Smolensk (western Russia), Sergei Antoufiev.

Religious ceremonies and street rallies began on Sunday morning to commemorate the Polish air disaster in which Polish President Lech Kaczynski and 95 other people died a year ago at Smolensk in Russia.

Divided on the causes of this accident and the ongoing investigations in Russia and Poland, the Poles can follow two separate programs of celebrations: the official program and one that was prepared by the conservative opposition of Jaroslaw Kaczynski, twin brother the late president.

At 6:41 GMT (exact time of the crash a year ago), the head of state Bronislaw Komorowski and Prime Minister Donald Tusk laid a wreath before a plaque commemorating the victims of the accident at the military church in Warsaw.

Meanwhile, Jaroslaw Kaczynski, who decided to boycott official ceremonies, laid a wreath at the presidential palace, amid a crowd of enthusiastic supporters.

Mr.Kaczynski sharply criticized the government for letting Russia lead the investigation and not to have rejected the findings.

Supporters of his party Law and Justice announced on Sunday at least four events to commemorate the victims of the disaster, 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. local outside the presidential palace in Warsaw, including a torchlight march at around 18:00 GMT.

In the midst of white and red national flags, a wooden cross was erected birch outside the presidential palace with, at its foot, a model of the presidential train Tupolev crashed, broke in two.

Other crosses, large and small, and the candles have been introduced to that place that initially after the accident, had been the symbol of the unity of Poles in mourning, before becoming one of the divisions .

Protesters waved banners calling on the authorities to shed full light on this accident.The thesis of a conspiracy and an attack was mentioned on the leaflets in the crowd that the Polish prosecutors have definitely ruled recently.

The Polish authorities have scheduled a ceremony before a memorial to victims of the accident at Powazki cemetery in Warsaw, followed by a solemn Mass at the cathedral and a large concert at the National Theatre.

A series of ceremonies and celebrations are planned Sunday across Poland.

The Polish and Russian presidents, Bronislaw Komorowski and Dmitri Medvedev will meet Monday at Smolensk, the scene of the accident.

The Tupolev 154, carrying 10 April 2010 President Lech Kaczynski and other senior Polish officials, crashed while attempting to land in heavy fog at Smolensk, killing its 96 occupants.

The Polish delegation went to the ceremonies of the 70th anniversary of the massacre of about 22,000 Polish officers prisoners of the Red Army, including at Katyn near Smolensk.

SYRIA: Authorities confirm the lifting of the state of emergency and send the army in Lattakia

AFP - The Syrian authorities have decided Sunday to revoke the emergency law in force for nearly 50 years, restricting civil liberties, and President Bashar al-Assad, who faces a protest movement, should s' address "very soon" to the public.

Moreover, military reinforcements entered in Lattakia, multifaith city of northwestern Syria, after extremely violent clashes Saturday, which made twelve dead, including members of the security forces, civilians and two insurgents.

"President Bashar al-Assad will address very soon to his people"

In an interview with AFP on Sunday in Damascus, the adviser to the president, Boussaina Shaaban, revealed that the decision to repeal the emergency law in force since 1963 had been taken.

"The decision to repeal the emergency law has already been taken but I do not know when it will be implemented," she said, adding that immediately after the repeal of this law, "all persons arrested under this Act will be released ".

This law, drafted in December 1962 by a previous government, came into force immediately after the arrival in power of the Baath party in March 1963.It imposes restrictions on freedom of assembly and movement, and allows the arrest of "suspects or persons threatening security."

It also allows the monitoring of communications and the diligence of the media.

The Director of the Syrian Human Rights (OSDH) Rami Abdelrahman, who welcomed the expected repeal of that law, estimated that about 2,000 people should be freed.

"All those convicted by the High Court of State security should be released, because the special court was established under this law," he said.

"The successful candidates in the local security services, as arrested without warrant" should be released by him.

Dr. Shaaban has also announced that President Assad, in power since 2000, will address "very soon" to the nation, while the country was shaken by a challenge without precedent.

"President Bashar al-Assad will address very soon to his people to explain the situation and clarify the reforms he intends to pursue in the country," she said.

These reforms include a law on political pluralism and a more liberal law on the press, which will "be subject to public debate," she said.

Military reinforcements to Latakia to dislodge insurgents

Moreover, military reinforcements came in Lattakia, Syrian press reported, to dislodge insurgents who shoot from rooftops and cars against the security forces and bystanders.

In total, since Friday in this city located on the coast, 13 soldiers and civilians and two insurgents were killed, said Ms. Shaban.

She accused the "Muslim extremists were behind the attack, with the objective to bring about sectarian strife in the country."Latakia is inhabited by Sunnis, Alawite, and Christians.

The government newspaper Teshreen reported 150 injured on Friday and Saturday in the port city.

The daily al-Watan said that "the thugs are not the Syrians and their nationality will be announced shortly."

Ms. Shaban had told reporters on Saturday accused "certain Palestinian refugee camp Ramel, near Latakia, of wanting to create fitna (dissension denominational) by pulling the security forces and protesters" to raise tension them.

The Secretary General of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command (PFLP-GC) has denied "any involvement of Palestinians in the camp Ramel events Saturday."

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Facing Real Madrid, Lyon trusts to exploit

"Cristiano contra la maldición (Cristiano against the curse, Ed). In a Madrid sports daily As on Wednesday morning, caution is advised. Yet, statistically, after a draw snatched by Real at the Stade Gerland in the first leg 1-1, (three weeks ago), OL only 25% chance of qualifying.

Last year, after the first leg, the media had sent the Iberian Real in the quarter from the final whistle, despite a narrow defeat to Lyon (1-0). They had predicted the hell and humiliation to the Rhone in the den of Santiago Bernabeu. After 90 minutes, OL had finally snatched a draw logical and eliminated the Real.Hence the relative timidity of the Spanish media on the eve of the meeting ...

In seven encounters, Lyon have never lost against Real, and each time, have scored at least one goal. To reach the quarterfinals of the 2011 edition, Claude Puel's men will at least continue on this path.

This season, the task is particularly difficult. Since the Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho took control of the first team, Real Madrid has won all the matches played on his lawn.To pass, the OL will have to break this momentum to be a victory, either by snatching a draw and by scoring at least twice.

The Rhone in Olympic form

Again this year, Lyon has arguments that can swing the fate of the tie. After a disastrous start to the season, Lyon have found color and have lost none of their last seven games.

For several weeks, OL managed to leverage its offensive firepower: 16 goals scored during the last five games. At the forefront of the attack, Bafétimbi Gomis, transparent to the winter transfer window, returned to form and means of getting better with Lisandro.The Argentinian has also regained its shape and remains on four goals in two games.

Only Yoann Gourcuff, in midfield, still does not respond to the expectations the club has placed in him.

Real to overcome the curse

Defensively, the Rhone should also have a job because the offensive power of the Real in full swing since the beginning of the season (67 goals in 26 matches in La Liga). After a difficult start of the year, the former Lyon Karim Benzema for his part, found the net and scored three doubles in his last three outings.

The uncertainty surrounding the presence of Cristiano Ronaldo, a time to a thigh injury, has also been lifted and the Portuguese virtuoso should be in the game.It was on its ability to impact that Jose Mourinho should be based, once again, to try to defeat the Indian sign. Real record holder for victories with nine wins C1, has spent more than the knockout stages for the past six seasons.

The Merengue, which are now pointing to five lengths of FC Barcelona in La Liga, more than ever need to validate their ticket to the quarterfinals. Weaned titles since 2008, socios Club Lighthouse Capital can not be satisfied with a new White Season in 2011. And even a victory in the final of the King's Cup, against Barcelona, ​​20 April, will probably not suffice to allay the spans of the Bernabeu. Hence the need for a win against Gones tonight ...

Silvio Berlusconi agrees to attend his trial ... but only on Monday

AFP - The head of Italian government Silvio Berlusconi, involved in several lawsuits, including one for prostitution of a minor, reiterated Thursday that he was ready to come and defend himself in person before the court in Milan, provided that the hearings take place on Monday .

"It is ludicrous to accuse me for not having defended in my trial.Instead it will be a satisfaction to be present (in my case), now that my lawyers will prevent me more, "Berlusconi said during a press conference during which he presented his latest reform of justice.

"As there are four or five (note: trial) together, I will dedicate the Sunday and Monday preparing the presence in the courtroom where I think I will have some nice rewards, and most importantly, j will explain to Italians how things really are, "he said.

Mr.Berlusconi is involved in several lawsuits, including tax evasion and false results (Mediaset), corruption control (Mills) and prostitution of a minor and abuse of power (Rubygate, named after the young Moroccan Karim El Mahroug, called Ruby, which He is accused of having paid services when she was not yet 18).

According to the head of the government, accusing the judges of "hard", none of the charges against him is based.

With the exception of the trial Mediaset, whose next hearing was set for April 11, none of the other scheduled hearings will take place Monday.

This Friday, for instance, Berlusconi summoned to Milan in his corruption trial witness.But he can not go because he will attend the extraordinary summit of the EU on Libya.

Last Saturday, his lawyer, Niccolo Ghedini has said that the President of the Council now considered "appropriate to go in person" to the court and intended to go to every hearing where he was summoned.

For several years the head of government, 74 years old, does it more to his trial and is represented by his lawyers.

TUNISIA: The resignation of Ghannouchi, a victory for supporters of the rupture

Mohammed Ghannouchi party is to Beji Caid Essebsi, 84, returns as the heavy task of leading the transition in Tunisia. It was named Sunday as Prime Minister by the Tunisian president Acting Fouad Mebazaa.

Vincent Geisser, a researcher at the Institute for Research and Studies on the Arab and Muslim world (IREMAM / CNRS), met the new head of government in the early 2000s, as part of his research. He said his appointment should not fully satisfy those who demanded the departure of Mohammed Ghannouchi.The researcher believes, however, that by pushing him to leave office, advocates a "radical democracy" have scored a point over a line of defenders and technocratic moderate.

France24.com - Who is the new Prime Minister of Tunisia, Beji Caid Essebsi?

Vincent Geisser - A man from a prominent aristocratic family of Tunisia, but who, from his early youth, has chosen the struggle for independence. Beji Caid Essebsi is the prototype of the young part of the neo-Destour was quickly noticed by President Habib Bourguiba [father of independence and first president of the Tunisian Republic, ed].Very young, he is entrusted with important responsibilities: he was appointed interior minister [in 1965], and later Minister of Foreign Affairs [in 1981]. At the time, he plays a mediating role between the hardliners of the party and the Liberal Movement of Social Democrats [MDS].

Beji Caid Essebsi was never part of the clan close Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali was neither a hawk nor a fanatic of the old regime. But he had his card Constitutional Democratic Rally [RCD, the party of Ben Ali]. However, it was a symbolic role in the training.

It has a picture of a man liberal, moderate, cosmopolitan, French ...It is also an experienced lawyer and a man of law.

F24 - His appointment does satisfy those who demanded the resignation of Mohammed Ghannouchi?

VG - Beji Caid Essebsi can embody a balance between continuity and rupture. He belonged to the three systems: the Bourguiba, Ben Ali and that of it belongs to the current system. But his profile remains profound sociological shift with those young people who started the revolution. Beji Caid Essebsi has 84 years while they are part of the new generation is Tunisians although they originate from inside the country and is an aristocrat while they are poor ...

F24 - The resignation of Mohammed Ghannouchi she plunges further the transition process at an impasse?

VG - No, it should not be pessimistic.Tunisia seeks and hesitating between two options. There is a side option for a technocratic smooth transition, where the custody of members of the former regime gradually integrating new elements. And then there's the camp of radical democracy, which promotes the breakdown and demanded the establishment of a Constituent Assembly that would lead to the rapid development of a new constitution before holding elections. This line is peaceful but claimed that social policies are quickly put in place to address inequalities.

The option technocratic, played by Mohammed Ghannouchi, failed. The most radical have scored points, but the only problem is that this coalition of Democrats is very eclectic.There are elites in the opposition, such as Marzouki [a historical opponent to Ben Ali] or Mustapha Ben Jaffar [Secretary General of the Democratic Forum for Labour and Freedoms], the union's General Union Workers in Tunisia [UGTT], youth who started the revolution, bourgeois Tunis, members of the extreme left ... The street was right government of compromise, but in front there, for now, no real political coalition structure.

F24 - Should we fear a division between those who, within the population, want a radical and those who advocate a technocratic transition?

VG - No, because everyone is in favor of breaking with the old regime and the adoption of a new constitution.These are opinions shared many of the young Sidi Bouzid Sidi Bou Said bourgeois. Mohammed Ghannouchi's resignation proves that there is a true democratic will and that those in power respond to the street. The Prime Minister's speech was retiring very reassuring: he said he would not be an obstacle to the democratic process ... It is the antithesis of speech by Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi!

The transition process is uncertain, there are still many question marks, but we are far from the chaos. Public functions, the administration works ... It is no longer the old regime, and it is not anarchy either. There is simply a power struggle between the democratic logic and technocratic logic.

TUNISIA: The chief diplomat resigns after improper statements

AFP - The head of Tunisian diplomacy Ounaïes Ahmed on Sunday presented his resignation on the eve of the visit to Tunisia by the head of European diplomacy and Catherine Ashton as thousands of illegal immigrants arrived in Italy, Tunisia, the agency said APR.

"In a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ahmed Ounaïes today presented his resignation from the transitional government," said agency official.

This former ambassador to retire, aged 75 years and who served under the presidency of Habib Bourguiba and Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, was appointed Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in the first government of national unity, 17 January.He became a minister in the transitional government revised 27 January by Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi.

But a visit to France since February 4, he had hardly taken up his duties, according to diplomatic sources.

The Independent was heckled on February 7 by Foreign Affairs officials who were demonstrating in front of and within the confines of his department by claiming he leaves immediately after his remarks in Paris. He then took his belongings and left his office.

Visiting Paris whose belated return to the popular revolution was cringe in Tunis, Mr. Ounaïes had no praise for his counterpart Michele Alliot-Marie."I like to listen to Ms Alliot-Marie in all circumstances and in all fora", "he said.

He hailed it "above all a friend of Tunisia," while "MAM" was summoned to explain himself at the same time in France for having benefited from the generosity of a great boss Tunisian business related to the clan and Ben Ali for proposing to the tottering regime "expertise" of the French police, while repression was in full swing.

He had been pinned to "denial of revolution" after statements to the Tunisian private TV Nesma.A cartoon the next day, the daily A Time, showed, under the title "Crazy Alliot-Marie," surrounded by little hearts, seated next to "MAM".

His resignation comes on the eve of the visit to Tunis in the head of European diplomacy and while Italy is preparing to request the deployment of Italian policemen in Tunisia in an attempt to prevent illegal immigrants from many departures from this countries.

Rome, which fears a humanitarian crisis, has already asked the EU to take an early final decision within ten days on the Frontex deployment of a mission to patrol the coast of Tunisia.

His departure also represents a new squawk for the transitional government, as politicians and observers, is still sailing in sight, one month after the fall of Ben Ali, multiplying doubts, misconceptions and flashbacks.

CINEMA: Films about love, distance and euthanasia winning the 27th Sundance Film Festival

"Like Crazy", the story of a mad love to the test of distance, and "How to die in Oregon", a plea for euthanasia, are among the main winners of the 27th Sundance Film Festival, which awards was unveiled Saturday night in Park City, Utah (west).

The Grand Prix of American fiction, the most prestigious of the evening went to "Like Crazy" Drake Doremus, the story of a passionate love between an American and a British woman, roughly tested by distance .

The director and other dedicated his award to his parents, "for believing in love and taught me that love was important for me to make this film one day (...) This film is about love, a love that never dies and stays with you throughout your life. "

The documentary "How to die in Oregon" Peter Richardson, poignant plea for modesty and euthanasia, following the footsteps of several terminally ill patients who decided to end their days in the State of Oregon (west U.S.), where the law allows.

The director has paid tribute to "extraordinary individuals who let me into their lives and tell for the past four years.This award is for you and I owe you, "he said.

In the category of fiction film abroad, the Grand Jury Prize was awarded to the Norwegian film "Happy, Happy, signed Sewitsky Anne, who says the revival of a sexual housewife in the arms of her neighbor.

The Grand Jury Prize Documentary abroad went to 'Hell and back again "(Go back to hell), the photojournalist Danfung Dennis, who recounts the difficult return home from a Marine of 25 years, Nathan Harris, seriously injured in combat in Afghanistan.

This award is "for those returning.It's something we always have in mind, we must never forget, "said the director, who also won the award for best direction of photography.

The Latin American cinema, whose three films participating in the competition, took home the award for best photography for foreign fiction, given to the Colombian film "Todos Tus Muertos" (All your dead).

"Position Among the Stars", Dutch Leonard Retel Helmrich, a wonderful documentary about daily life in an Indonesian family in a slum in Jakarta, leaves with a Special Jury Prize, like the British film "Tyrannosaur" by Paddy Considine, the American documentary "Being Elmo, a puppeteer's journey" Constance Marks and U.S. film "Another Earth" by Mike Cahill.

The Audience Award went to the British documentary "Senna" Asif Kapadia, film US-Rwandan "Kinyarwanda" of Alrick Brown, the American documentary "Buck" Cindy Meehl "and the American film" Circumstance "by Maryam Keshavarz.

The American Erica Dunton and his film "To.get.her "Next come away with the prize, awarded to a very small budget film.

Nearly 120 films were submitted this year for the 27th edition of the Sundance Film Festival, including 58 in competition.

The festival, founded by actor Robert Redford as a counterweight to Hollywood studios by providing a showcase for independent production, has become over the years biggest film festival and market in the United States.

Last year's "Winter's Bone" by Debra Granik, who won the Grand Jury Prize for American fiction. After a successful career in theaters, the film garnered four nominations for the upcoming Academy Awards, February 27, including Best Film.

The outgoing head of state Anibal Cavaco Silva seeks re-election in the first round

AFP - The Conservative Anibal Cavaco Silva could be re-elected, according to the polls in the first round Sunday in Portugal's presidency after a campaign moody, suspenseful or private issue despite the economic crisis, due to limited powers of the Head of State.

Concerned about rising unemployment and poverty, submitted since early January their third austerity plan in one year, the Portuguese have little interest marked a ballot which, according to political analysts, the only unknown is abstention which could reach a record level.

Given Mr.Cavaco Silva, an economist with 71 years covered by all of the right and credited 57 to 60% of votes, his main rival, the poet Manuel Alegre, supported by the Socialist Party and the Left Bloc (far left) collected between 20 and 27% of the vote, followed by four other minor candidates.

Already nominated in 2006, Alegre, 74, was then a surprise - and lasting enmities had attracted - by beating, with 20.7% of votes, the official candidate of the Socialist Party, former President Mario Soares (14.3%). Mr.Cavaco Silva, who was Prime Minister ten years (1985-1995), had won the first round with 50.5% of the vote.

"At the final result, there is no uncertainty," said João Marcelino, director of the daily Diario de Noticias, recalling that "in Portugal, past presidents have all been re-elected in the first round."

"The recandidature + + is a kind of walk," he said.

"All that nobody cares," says Carlos, a young 38 year old restaurateur, owner of a "tasca" canteen on the hills of Lisbon.

"People have other concerns, and then, frankly, it is clear that the president is useless," added his wife Catarina, which distributes to customers the latest listings for local residents seeking employment.

In Lisbon, the campaign has remained invisible, no posters or leaflets, the major parties are now back in a very personalized election because of the role of the essentially moral head of state, even if it has the right to dissolve the parliament.

In the interior, the six candidates have stepped up "contacts with people," the markets or at dinner banquet-style supporters.

Dedicating the absence of any substantive discussion, Mr.Cavaco Silva has consistently refused to respond to attacks from his rivals, wrapping himself in his status as head of state who, in his view, the "impossible to meddle in partisan political struggles" or "comment on the statements of political actors. "

Even the "business" of the bank BPN, bound to lucrative financial investments made by Mr Cavaco Silva in the early 2000s, fell like a blow against the silence of the outraged president candidate, having monopolized the media for several days.

And rumors of an imminent international assistance to address the fiscal crisis have, according to commentators, further strengthened the demobilization of voters while Mr.Cavaco Silva has stepped up its criticism of the socialist government, accused of having acted "too late" about the slippage in public finances.

"People know that this is not the president who governs," says political scientist Marina Costa Lobo. This is an important character but he is not the rule that the economic problems. And when they see the Prime Minister to go Brussels announce austerity measures, they understand that the government itself decides little ... and the president even less! ".