King Abdullah could pre-empt this by appointing a second deputy prime minister.

BBC: Middle East

But he would be vulnerable to Gianfranco Fini, the foreign minister, who is also deputy prime minister and leader of the second-biggest party on the right, the formerly neo-fascist National Alliance.

ECONOMIST: Italy takes a wobbly step towards two-party politics

To stiffen their courage, the prime minister and his new deputy have promised a second sweeping reform.

ECONOMIST: Israeli politics: Can Binyamin Netanyahu do a somersault? | The

The finger on the trigger belonged to Josef Lux, the powerful deputy prime minister and leader of the Christian Democrats, the second-biggest party in the coalition.

ECONOMIST: Kamikaze cabinet

The bill - supported by the deputy prime minister and the shadow health secretary among others - has been given a second reading.

BBC: Improving attitudes to mental health

The deputy prime minister admitted as much in a recent interview when he said Labour would need a second term before the travelling public saw real improvements.

ECONOMIST: Transport