The millions who gave him an overwhelming popular mandate in 1972 demanded his head two years later.

Given what they are offering is an opinion, I don't see why the need to have a popular mandate comes into this.

With a popular mandate, Shiite leaders say, they will be in a stronger position to influence the direction of the war.

For a Government without a strong popular mandate, taking such steps is delicate.

The crisis continued for 196 days, leaving Belgium without a government with a popular mandate.

Indeed, they may be the very same people seeking the imprimatur of a popular mandate.

But they do not claim any popular mandate for changes that would slow the growth of Medicare.

That could be fatal in a country whose Government so far rules without a popular mandate.

This is quite an accomplishment for a government that lacked a popular mandate only a month ago.

Turkey now has a government in power which has a clear popular mandate and can set to work.