Slovakia votes against euro fund expansion

RNW, 11 October 2011

Prime Minister Iveta Radicova 

Slovakia’s parliament has voted against expanding the European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF). This means the euro emergency fund risks not being extended as Eurozone leaders agreed in July.

The Slovak government of Prime Minister Iveta Radicova was split, with a small liberal coalition partner against the EFSF deal.

Ms Radicová had gambled her political life on the parliamentary vote and is now expected to resign. If that happens and the government falls, a new vote can be taken on the EFSF issue.

The opposition social democrats are then expected to back the euro support fund’s expansion and the July deal can go ahead.