balance of power
1 situation in which power is equally divided among rival states or groups of states 均势(对立的国家或国家集团之间势均力敌的状况).
2 (politics 政) power held by a small group when rival larger groups are equal or almost equal in strength (当处於对立状态的较大团体力量均衡或接近均衡时)小团体所具有的举足轻重的力量
Since the two main parties each won the same number of seats, the minority party holds the balance of power. 由於两个主要政党都赢得了相同数量的席位, 因此作为少数派的政党居於举足轻重的地位.