He is cautious, dislikes making decisions and rarely fires anyone, putting loyalty and stability above all else.

ECONOMIST: The state of Russia

Throughout Lula's presidency, he has been devoted to price stability above all else, helping Brazil to earn the international confidence it enjoys today.

BBC: Brazil's inflation hawk Henrique Meirelles bows out

As the markets settled their initial nerves after this week's dramas, investors seemed to be signalling again that they would put stability above all else.

ECONOMIST: Russia

To restore order and stability nationwide, Indonesia needs above all to hold a successful general election.

CNN: COMMUNAL FACE-OFF

Above all, it was Mr Brown who understood that without the platform of economic stability, nothing else that a Labour government wanted to do would be possible.

ECONOMIST: Bagehot

Above all, Brazil's strength is a democracy that has yielded broad political continuity and economic stability.

ECONOMIST: The B in BRICS