Slovak opposition want economy minister out of govt

...accusing him of promoting corruption.

The bid to oust Jahnatek was triggered after some MPs interpreted remarks he made in a magazine as indicating he thought state arms makers should be able to include the cost of bribes in their business accounts.

Jahnatek said his remarks, made in an interview with financial magazine Trend last week, were manipulated.

"I only talked about legally-documented provisions," he said.

The three main opposition parties want a vote of no confidence to take place on April 10, but would struggle to win any motion since they lack enough MPs for a majority.

"We are submitting this motion because the minister has disqualified himself and morally failed," said Mikulas Dzurinda, the leader of the largest opposition party in parliament, SDKU.

Prime Minister Robert Fico said there was no reason Jahnatek should quit.

"He did not bribe anyone, he did not take any bribe, he did not break the law," news agency SITA quoted Fico as saying during a visit to Germany over the weekend.

Fico's two coalition partners have said they would not support a no confidence vote.