But for the moment this deadline seems still distant

An interview on Europe 1 this morning, the afternoon the Assembly issues, a Government seminar convened at Matignon at 18: 30, the monthly press conference Thursday...: Dominique de Villepin has the ultrachargé agenda of those who want to get rid of a problem more quickly. Because, for the moment, it is fair to let the storm Clearstream, the large back to continue almost as if nothing had. Then only a part of the left demand the resignation of the Prime Minister (see page 22), Jacques Chirac, for the moment refuses to what would sign a new statement of failure: "the President supports the action of the Prime Minister," assured his entourage Sunday.

Dominique de Villepin himself ruled Saturday in "Le Figaro" to overhaul his team and said he was determined to "move forward" on the path of reform. Already released deprived of the crisis of the CPE, the Executive couple refuses to lower arms deal to judges who have, he says, nothing proven, and revelations that have in part been denied. As Nicolas Sarkozy, who contributed to the publicity of the case, seems today to not add fuel to the fire. The case is is indeed packed Friday with the publication of "The world" of the minutes of the hearing of General Philippe Rondot, a specialist in intelligence, heard by the judges Jean-Marie of Huy and Henri Pons March 28. According to the minutes, Dominique de Villepin, then Minister of Foreign Affairs, January 9, 2004, asked the General "to know whether the figures cited actually had an account at Clearstream", and would specifically responsible it for investigating Nicolas Sarkozy. Prime Minister denies completely to be "interested in any political personality whatsoever" and General Philippe Rondot entourage denied weekend assertions of "world". "Never Dominique de Villepin do me ordered to target Nicolas Sarkozy", he assured. Nevertheless: then why a spy experienced also that he would have kept sheets expressly mentioning the name and the object of this appointment, if it is to protect This is not the only issue that arises at the judges in this decidedly complex case and their work is far from completed. It is betting that the Prime Minister. Of course, it itself heard by the judges, as many predict, change inevitably gives. But for the moment, this deadline seems still distant. The judges argue logically and carefully. They are planning to search at Matignon and to hear other players in the case well before the Prime Minister, as Jean-Louis Gergorin and Imad Lahoud, two officials of EADS (see below). They could also convene Nicolas Sarkozy, who made the request several times through his lawyer, Thierry Herzog.

Political pressure

But the judicial pressure builds political pressure. Until when the developer Executive - it take while the left, the UDF and the FN stress forever end of reign atmosphere that accompanies the final months of the quinquennium And how to survive while the elected majority themselves worry of a scandal which, once again, could make the bed of the extreme right