Slovak govt faces confidence vote amid tension

...under threat from heightened tensions among its members.

The three-party coalition has been on the verge of collapse since Prime Minister Robert Fico sacked Farm Minister Miroslav Jurena of the centrist Movement for a Democratic Slovakia (HZDS) on Friday over disputed land deals.

HZDS agreed on Saturday to stay in the ruling coalition, but it stopped short of pledging full loyalty to Fico's leftist Smer party for the no-confidence vote -- prompted by the opposition -- on parliament speaker Pavol Paska of Smer on Monday.

Some analysts have said HZDS could team up with the opposition to dismiss the speaker in retribution for the farm minister's dismissal.

HZDS said it would only decide on Monday how to vote on Paska, but Fico has repeatedly said the speaker must stay in his post to keep the coalition pact alive at a time when Slovakia is preparing to try and join the euro zone.

"I expect all deputies representing the ruling coalition to vote against the proposal (to dismiss) Pavol Paska," Fico said in a television debate on Sunday.

"If the chairman of the parliament falls thanks to the votes of one of our coalition partners, this ruling coalition is over."

The assembly will start debate before the no-confidence motion at 2 p.m. (1300 GMT) and deputies are expected to cast their votes later on Monday.

Eleven government deputies would have to join the opposition in the secret vote to muster the 76 votes necessary to dismiss Paska. HZDS has 16 deputies in the 150-seat assembly.

The opposition is upset that in his position as speaker, Paska ordered the publication of a law in a different form than that which was approved by parliament.

Slovakia wants to adopt the euro in 2009, and will be assessed on its application in the spring. The crown currency has so far shrugged off the political turmoil.

(Reporting by Peter Laca; Editing Giles Elgood)

Keywords: SLOVAKIA COALITION/

[BRATISLAVA/Reuters/Finance.cz]