The opposition remains split on who would run a new merged party and how to allocate the nominations for National Assembly candidates.

Together, the merged parties held 66 seats in Parliament, about 15 percent of the total.

The merged party won two seats on council, both of whom were former members of the Democratic Coalition.

These councillors used the name of the merged party until shortly before the 1998 election, when the parties dissolved their merger.

The United Farmers had little influence over the merged party.

Braghis has become new leader of the merged party.

The merged parties estimate that the reconfigured distribution network will save them about $:20 million each annually in costs.

He has had trouble, however, holding his merged party together, and many politicians have left to support Mr. Chung or other candidates.

The merged party experienced a significant amount of growth in the run up to the general election.