BRATISLAVA - The Slovak parliament began a special session on Thursday to vote on a no-confidence motion against the reformist government brought by the opposition just six months before a general election. The vote was initiated by the main opposition HZDS party of former autocratic premier Vladimir Meciar. HZDS has accused the government of Prime Minister Mikulas Dzurinda of mismanaging the economy, social policy and foreign affairs in its drive for integration with the European Union and NATO. But the motion, the 15th opposition attempt to oust a government member, or the entire cabinet since Meciar lost an election in 1998, was widely expected to fail as the HZDS does not have enough seats to force it through.

The no-confidence motion was not expected to cause tensions in the fractious ruling coalition because all five member parties, which control a majority in parliament, have said they would not support HZDS‘s move. Dzurinda‘s government has been praised by the West for economic and political reforms that put the country among frontrunners for EU and NATO membership after years of isolation during Meciar‘s rule. HZDS has increased its attacks in parliament ahead of the election, and analysts say moves such as the no-confidence vote are keeping lawmakers from passing legislation needed for EU entry, which Bratislava hopes to achieve in 2004. Reuters