The environmentalist Greens and the small Free Democrats did not qualify for seats.

They appeared certain to oust Hesse's governing coalition of Social Democrats and environmentalist Greens.

The environmentalist Greens also took a drubbing.

The environmentalist Greens worry that the drive to harmonize conflicting national standards could result in watered-down pollution rules.

The environmentalist Greens took heavy losses, dropping from 13.1 percent in 1995 to 9 percent.

The environmentalist Greens have also fallen into disarray, isolated by their far-left resistance to reunification.

Still, 60 percent of Austrian voters cast ballots for these two mainstream parties last October, and 7 percent for the environmentalist Greens.

The small, liberal party has traditionally been the kingmaker of German politics, but that role is increasingly being assumed by the environmentalist Greens.

It has been a roller-coaster year for Germany's environmentalist Greens.

In a clear concession to the environmentalist Greens, the accord said the coalition would press for "the renunciation of the first use of atomic weapons."