Slovakia to hold new bailout vote

Slovakia's parliament is preparing for a new vote on changes to an EU bailout fund, a day after the main political parties reached a deal to approve it.

Parliament rejected the changes on Tuesday because a junior coalition party was against it, causing the government to fall.

The main opposition Smer-Social Democracy agreed to help the outgoing coalition in exchange for early elections.

Slovakia is the last of the 17 eurozone nations to vote on increasing the size and powers of the bailout fund.

Today, Parliament will first debate and take a vote on legislation that makes it possible to hold early elections on March 10.

The second vote on the bailout fund is expected later today or on Friday at the latest.

AP