"What is said in this House has got absolute privilege, the only control is the chair and that is exercised judiciously and always is and then what is said in this House can be reported so long as it is fair and truthful, " she said.

BBC: Commons in court gagging warning

On Sept. 5, the LDP secured an absolute majority in the policy-making House of Representatives, when yet another former partyman rejoined the LDP, the latest in a string of defections from the opposition New Frontier Party.

CNN: MAN 'WITH A FACE'

But the nominee must win a vote of confidence from the lower house of parliament, the Sejm, with an absolute majority of its members.

ECONOMIST: An empty seat for Poland at the next EU summit?

No government with a working majority in the British House of Commons is likely to legislate away its present absolute control.

ECONOMIST: Letters

The other piece of evidence for home ownership's benefits is that the house-price fall has so far spared most existing homeowners from absolute losses.

ECONOMIST: Home ownership