11.   Estonian deputies are to vote for a new president on Monday and Tuesday in a poll which looks like an open race with neither candidate enjoying strong parliamentary backing.

12.   The Socialists were preparing to counterattack Friday with warnings of the financial cost of concessions Aznar made to ensure parliamentary backing from nationalist parties.

13.   Until now, the opposition had said that it would only present a censure motion if Berlusconi declined to ask for parliamentary backing.

14.   On Monday, Berlusconi and his allies had threatened to withhold parliamentary backing for Dini unless his government included members from the former administration.

15.   On Monday, Berlusconi and his allies threatened to withhold parliamentary backing for Dini unless his government includes members from the former administration.

16.   The Congress last month withdrew its parliamentary backing to the minority centre-left alliance, accusing the government of misrule.