The Slovakian parliament Wednesday made the country's refusal to participate in the European Union rescue effort for Greece final in a vote on the issue. A bill recommending Bratislava's participation in the EU rescue package gained only two "yes" votes among the 150 deputies, according to dpa. The former Social Democratic government under then-premier Robert Fico had pledged to the EU in May that Bratislava would help out in the EU package for Greece, but delayed a final decision until after the June 12 parliamentary elections in Slovakia. However, the elections resulted in handing power to a centre-right government under Premier Iveta Radicova. During the election campaign, she had opposed helping Greece, arguing that Greece was richer than Slovakia and so Bratislava should not have to help foot the bill for Athens' "undisciplined budget policy."
