New Zealand Prime Minister Ms Helen Clark began work today on assembling a coalition government dominated by Labour but dependent on fringe groups,
one of which has vowed to bring her down next year if a ban on genetically-modified foods is lifted.
Ms Clark's centre-left Labour party swept back into power in yesterday's general election with more seats than it previously held but lacking a partner with sufficient numbers after its ally the Progressive Coalition Party (PCP) won only two seats.
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Labour and PCP have a combined 54 seats in the 120-seat single chamber parliament and Clark will need support from the environmentalist Green Party or the Christian-dominated United Future Party.
Despite the need for some tough deal making, Ms Clark said she expected to form a new government sooner rather than later. "In the normal course of events a new government would look to be swearing in a new ministry in a couple of weeks so that would be desirable," she said.
Both the Greens and United Future have indicated they are open to discussing arrangements with Labour. Labour's success gives New Zealand's first elected woman leader a mandate to continue the job she began three years ago, a programme that included hiking taxes for social spending and continuing an 18-year ban on nuclear ship visits despite US pressure.
A feisty former academic regarded as hardnosed but compassionate, Ms Clark, 52, said she had spoken to both Green and United Future leaders about gathering a majority for her new three-year term.
"I think there is every prospect that the government will go full-term with the arrangements we put in place," she said.
After a swing towards small centre-right parties at the expense of the main opposition National Party, Clark has three options for forming a government, but has indicated the Greens are the frontrunner.
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