1.  The deal was correctly seen as an attempt to clip the political wings of smaller parties and of President Havel.

2.  The voting system is weighted against the smaller parties.

3.  A steady growth in the popularity of two smaller parties may upset the polls.

4.  This was followed by weeks of bargaining with the smaller parties over ministerial posts and policies.

5.  The Cabinet also contained two Communists, two Social Democrats, seven independents and five members of smaller parties.

6.  The deal had been struck by then LDP secretary-general Ichiro Ozawa in return for the support of the smaller parties in approving the Gulf package.

7.  He added that all the smaller parties would be invited to participate.

8.  Alternatively, both the two main political forces could wind up without a majority, forcing them to turn to smaller parties to seek a majority.

9.  At the same time, unions must find some way to increase their clout, particularly financial clout, as they play a reduced role in a smaller party.