NEW YORK - CONSERVATIVE Republicans regained control of the New York state senate on Monday after luring two Democratic legislators into a coalition, a move that could affect hot-button issues including the legalisation of gay marriage.

Five months after Republicans lost control of Albany-based upper house, lawmakers held a heated session when the freshly forged majority voted to appoint a new senate leader.

Republican Dean Seklos became the majority leader after securing the backing of Democrat Hiram Monserrate and his colleague Pedro Espada - who becomes the state's first Hispanic senate president.

Ousted majority leader Malcolm Smith decried the manoeuvre.

'This was an illegal and unlawful attempt to gain control of the Senate and reverse the will of the people who voted for a Democratic majority,' he said.

Despite the casting his vote with Republicans, Mr Monserrate said he remained 'a loyal Democrat,' adding he was 'proud to form a bi-partisan coalition that has elected the first latino president... of the New York state senate.'

Republicans had controlled the New York state Senate for four decades until losing their grip on power at the last elections. -- AFP