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Slovak leftists vow to usher in reforms
 Slovakia's leftist Smer party promised a radical break with economic reforms yesterday after winning an election that showed voters' fatigue with the tough changes made during eight years of centre-right rule. Smer, led by populist Robert Fico, faces a struggle to form a coalition government after failing to win a majority in Saturday's parliamentary election, the first since the former communist nation joined the European Union and Nato in 2004. Official results showed Smer won 29.1 per cent of votes and reformist Prime Minister Mikulas Dzurinda's party secured 18.4 per cent. Weeks of coalition talks are now likely and Dzurinda could stay in power if Fico fails to find any partners. The talks are likely to decide the fate of reforms which won plaudits abroad and transformed the landlocked nation of 5.4 million people into one of Europe's fastest growing economies, but left unemployment high and proved painful for many. Posted by: Fred 2006-06-20 |
| http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=156666 |