Slovenia's government faces confidence vote

[September 20, 2011]  LJUBLJANA, Slovenia (AP) -- Slovenia's left-leaning government faced a confidence vote in parliament Tuesday that could push the eurozone nation into further political instability during Europe's debt crisis.

Prime Minister Borut Pahor's government faces the motion after months of disagreements between ruling coalition partners and several resignations of Cabinet ministers. The opposition has accused Pahor's government of corruption and mishandling of the economy.

The government is believed to have the support of only 33 lawmakers in the 90-member assembly. Still, Pahor urged the assembly to back his minority cabinet rather than go for the early ballot in the midst of European economic turmoil.

"Due to the immense international financial crisis, Slovenia is more at risk if it plunges into a political crisis and the paralysis of the state over the elections," Pahor told parliament.

A political deadlock in Slovenia could jeopardize Slovenia's contribution to the European rescue fund for other debt-strapped eurozone nations. The tiny Alpine country has already demanded cash as collateral for its contributions to the fund, and is among the smaller eurozone nations, such as Slovakia, which are showing little empathy for the countries with no fiscal discipline.

Pahor's government also has failed to push through two key reform bills -- a pension reform and labor market overhaul -- that were in line with EU standards.

Pahor insisted in his speech to the lawmakers that the upcoming months will be crucial in dealing with the European economic and financial crisis, and that Slovenia should not change governments during that period.

"I can only promise a raw fight to get us out of the grip of this crisis," he added. Slovenia's media predict that the new prime minister could be Pahor's predecessor, Janez Jansa.

If the government falls, Slovenian President Danilo Turk can pick a new prime minister, who has 30 days to form a new government. If this fails, early elections are called.

[Associated Press; By ALI ZERDIN]

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