After this ill-judged gamble, Mr Pastrana can no longer count on a majority in Congress.
"Neither Karzai nor Abdullah can count on a majority," Mr. Joyenda said.
It would appear from those appointments that the mayor can count on a majority of commission members to back his plan.
Curiously, Hayden responded that he had already been assured by unspecified individuals that he could count on a majority of "the nine votes" — an apparent reference to the Supreme Court.
The loss means Mrs. Merkel can no longer count on a majority for her governing coalition in the upper house of Parliament, composed of delegations from all 16 states.
A 9-to-9 tie vote would be a political victory for Mr. Ashcroft's opponents but would not prevent the nomination from being considered by the full Senate, where Mr. Ashcroft can count on a majority made up of all 50 Republicans and at least 3 Democrats who have announced support.
Mr Prodi can no longer count on a majority in the Senate; in February a rebellion by two far-left senators, prompted by Afghanistan, almost brought his government down.This week, Mr Prodi won a majority thanks to support from unelected life senators and from rebels within the centre-right opposition.
He miscalculated on health care reform, ignoring polls showing that a majority of Americans favor a single-payer system and instead counting on a Democratic majority in Congress to pass a compromise.
Shorten is counting on a clear majority of the caucus – especially after the right "locked-in" its members.
A growing north-south political divide makes hung parliaments ever more likely.Despite the unfavourable odds, the Conservative Party appears to be counting on a full majority after the next election.
Foremost among them was a planned review of challenges to national committee members, a favorable disposition of which Mr. Buchanan was counting on to give him a majority of supporters on the committee.
