The idea that the German government may lose control of its national budget and be put under supervision by Brussels is, it seems, too humiliating to contemplate.

ECONOMIST: Europe's stability pact meets national sovereignty

The government is reluctant to lose control of Telkom, partly because it is a useful way of delivering contracts to black business.

ECONOMIST: South African software

Last week saw the departure of six cabinet ministers from the government and devastating local election results for the Labour Party, which saw it lose control of its four councils and its vote share drop to an historic low of 23%.

BBC: Brown defiant amid leadership row