1.   As the vote on the pension approached, some coalition allies jostled for Cabinet posts.

2.   Barak is fighting off a rebellion by conservative coalition allies that could produce new elections.

3.   A row between the government and its communist coalition allies compelled Prodi to propose milder cuts.

4.   If no, then the Liberals would lose their coalition allies and give Conservatives a leg up.

5.   In Rheinland-Pfalz, if the FDP returns to the assembly, the SPD still could jettison it as coalition ally for the Greens.

6.   Netanyahu need not appease restive coalition allies unhappy over his courageous decision last month to withdraw Israeli troops from most of the West Bank city of Hebron.

7.   Netanyahu lost support from key coalition allies after he signed the Wye River Memorandum.

8.   One is how the prime minister will handle his coalition allies.

9.   Sworn into office in May, he now faces a confidence vote in Parliament next Wednesday with a crucial coalition ally openly threatening to desert him.

10.   Party rivals are baying for his resignation, coalition allies are grumbling and the dovish opposition is resurgent in the polls.