The election strengthened Ortega's grip on power, giving him a two-thirds majority in parliament for the first time.

She added "I am sure that your election to the presidency will further strengthen the relations between our two countries and people.

The parliamentary elections of November 2007 strengthened the position of tribal leaders and other pro-government candidates.

The greater surprise was how the 1996 election strengthened the ethnic and religious parties.

Mr. Berlusconi has made similar threats before, apparently calculating that new elections would strengthen his grip on power.

The Bush administration is resisting that plan, fearing in part that the elections might strengthen the Palestinian leader.

Early elections, she said, strengthen people who are armed, like warlords, for they can use their weapons to confront opponents and intimidate voters.

The election strengthened Mr. Paisley's hand against dissidents within his own party who are opposed to the deal.

This election will strengthen the democratic nature of our institution.

In the end, the elections created an immobilized Parliament, demoralized the country's secular parties and strengthened the religious alliance, according to the general's critics.