71.   This all but guarantees seats for the smaller parties.

72.   This left enormous leverage with the smaller parties that draw on caste affiliations, language differences and regional identification.

73.   Thus, a pullout by smaller Protestant parties would thwart the talks and jeopardize a settlement.

74.   To form a government Netanyahu will need to persuade smaller parties to join his Likud-led party.

75.   Thus, he could have a tougher job forming a coalition government and smaller parties could have more bargaining power in building a coalition.

76.   Two smaller parties could be potential coalition partners.

77.   Two smaller Protestant parties, with links to paramilitary groups, abstained.

78.   Ultimately, the Labor party kept its name but fought the election under the One Israel banner, the name of the alliance it formed with two smaller parties.

79.   Voters for the smaller parties usually switch their votes in favor of one of the two runners-up.

80.   What counted was that by sheer strength of numbers, Obuchi had maneuvered a smaller party into accepting his will.