Slovakia - Factors To Watch on March 6

    BRATISLAVA, March 6 (Reuters) - Here are news stories, press 
reports and events to watch which may affect Slovak financial 
markets on Tuesday. 
     
    2006 GDP DATA 
    The Statistics Office will publish detailed GDP data for 
2006, 9 a.m. (0800 GMT). The flash estimate showed 9.5 percent 
GDP growth in the fourth quarter of 2006. 
     
    2007 FORECASTS 
    The Statistics Office wil publish forecasts of GDP growth 
and consumer price inflation for the first half of 2007, 9 a.m. 
(0800 GMT). 
     
    REPO TENDER 
    The central bank will hold its regular weekly two-week repo 
tender. 
     
    FEB INFLATION SEEN DROPPING TO 15-MTH LOW 
    The Slovak annual EU-norm inflation rate is expected to have 
dropped to a 15-month low in February thanks to lower cost of 
petrol fuels, a Reuters poll showed on Monday. 
    [ID:nL05111709] [RTRS-INT-PLCY-PRE-SK] 
     
    PM SUPPORTS MINISTER AFTER ARMY DEPOT BLAST 
    Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico expressed support on 
Monday for Defence Minister Frantisek Kasicky after a blast at 
an army depot killed at least three people on Friday. 
    [ID:nL05398062] [RTRS-VIO-EUROPE-SK] 
     
    CROWN WEAKER VS EURO, AWAITS GDP DATA 
    The Slovak crown was weaker against the euro on Monday as 
risk aversion grew among investors, but dealers said Tuesday's 
GDP data release might support the unit. 
    [ID:nL05151095] [RTRS-MMT-FRX-SK] 
     
    PRESS DIGEST 
    ------------ 
    COALITION PARTNERS SLAM LABOUR CODE DRAFT 
    A junior government member, HZDS, has criticised labour code 
amendments prepared by the Smer party of Prime Minister Robert 
Fico. HZDS said Smer was under strong pressure from trade 
unions. The third ruling coalition partner, the Slovak National 
party, has joined HDZS in its criticism of the draft. 
    Sme, page 1 
     
    DEFENCE MINISTER STAYS 
    Defence Minister Frantisek Kasicky did not submit his 
resignation to President Ivan Gasparovic and will stay in his 
post. Kasicky has offered to leave the government after a blast 
in an army store killed at least three people. 
    Sme, page 4 
     
    SARKOZY SLAMS SLOVAK TAXES 
    French presidential candidate Nicolas Sarkozy has accused 
Slovakia of social dumping caused by its 19 percent flat tax 
system. 
    Sme, page 6 
     
    2008-2012 EMISSION CAP THREATENS STEEL INDUSTRY 
    The European Commission's cut of carbon dioxide emissions 
cap for 2008-2012 could threaten development of Slovakia's steel 
industry, the economy ministry said. 
    Sme, page 7 
     
    For news on upcoming events in the United States and other 
Group of Seven countries, see . For a diary of 
forthcoming Slovak events, double click [SK/DIARY], and a 
calendar of east European economic indicators, see [CONV/DIARY]. 
     
    News editor of the day: Peter Laca, on +421 2 5341 8402; 
fax: +421 2 5341 8403 
    E-mail: editorial@reuters.sk 
    Reuters Messaging: peter.laca.reuters.com@reuters.net 
     
 For real-time index quotes, double click in brackets: 
 Warsaw WIG20   Budapest BUX   Prague PX50  
 Other related news: 
 Slovak equities      [SK-E]  E.Europe equities           [.CEE] 
 Slovak money         [SK-M]  Czech debt                  [CZ-D] 
 Slovak Indicators  [SK-ECI]  Emerging forex          [EMRG/FRX] 
 Eastern European     [EEU]   All emerging markets        [EMRG] 
 Hot stocks           [HOT]   Stock markets                [STX] 
 Market debt news     [DBT]   Forex news                   [FRX] 
 TOP NEWS -- Emerging markets                         [TOP/EMRG] 
 TOP NEWS -- Convergence watch                        [TOP/EAST] 
 
 ((Compiled by Martin Santa; Bratislava Newsroom; Email: 
editorial@reuters.sk; +421-2-5341-8402))