Slovak economy minister wins no-confidence vote

...coalition united to win its first major challenge in parliament despite several internal quarrels.

Jahnatek's dismissal was supported by only 59 deputies in the vote, while 74 of those present in the 150-seat parliament voted against the proposal and one abstained.

The no-confidence motion was triggered after opposition MPs interpreted remarks Jahnatek made in a magazine as indicating state arms makers should be able to include the cost of bribes in their business accounts as legitimate expenses.

Jahnatek rejected the allegations, saying his remarks were manipulated because he was speaking only about legal provisions.

Ruling coalition members defended Jahnatek during a debate before the vote by saying the opposition misinterpreted his comments and that he had not broken any law.

Jahnatek is a key cabinet figure and was instrumental in putting pressure on utilities to lower energy prices, a key promise the leftist Prime Minister Robert Fico made during a June 2006 election campaign that propelled him to power.

By rejecting the motion to dismiss the economy minister, the ruling coalition confirmed it could stick together over key issues, despite several rows it has had since ousting a centre-right cabinet in the June election.

The coalition of Fico's Smer party, the HZDS of former authoritarian ruler Vladimir Meciar and the far-right Slovak National Party has quarrelled over attempts to close a special anti-corruption court, budget allocations and changes to the labour code.

It has so far remained united in key votes, however, including the approval of a deficit-cutting 2007 state budget.