Any backtracking now could fatally undermine his position and would probably revive talk of a new election or of a grand coalition in the national interest between the two main parties.

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The move also opened a potentially irreparable breach between the two parties in his governing coalition.

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If there is to be a coalition administration, by far the most popular deal would be between these two parties.

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It is possible that he may make a fresh appeal to the two men to try to revive the coalition between their two parties.

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