Given the inherent instability of Mr Ahern's minority coalition government, a fresh election is probably only 18 months away, at most.

ECONOMIST: North meets South

Mr Gujral runs a fragile minority coalition government that depends for survival on the support of the Congress party, which has long ruled India.

ECONOMIST: India

The conservative opposition - which leads Julia Gillards minority coalition government in the opinion polls - has called the media inquiry a "naked attempt to intimidate the media".

BBC: Australia plans media inquiry after UK hacking scandal