With Zapatero and Socrates in the mood for being railroaded by Merkel, there might even be an agreement at the Council on the "competitiveness" [sic] pact. Then we're doomed economically in the medium term, and politically the EPP will strengthen its grip of EU policy even more.

I'm almost hoping there's no agreement, then there will be a concerted market attack on Portugal and, if that is successful, on Spain. Only then may Zapatero realise Merkel and Sarkozy are not his economic friends.

So, in what may be my last act of "advising", I'll advise you to cut the jargon. -- My old PhD advisor, to me, 26/2/11