Parliament approves early elections

Parliament approved a proposal on Thursday for an early general election, which will take place on June 17, 2006. All of the 143 MPs present voted for the motion. The motion was submitted to Parliament on Wednesday, after approval by the Cabinet. At a meeting with President Ivan Gasparovic on Tuesday, leaders of the nine political parties represented in Parliament agreed to call an early election for June 17. This move follows the decision of the Christian Democrats on Monday to pull out of the governing Coalition, after its coalition partner SDKU refused to approve a treaty with the Vatican on conscientious objection.