Slovenia's troubled centre-left government lost a confidence vote in parliament late on Tuesday, an event that could lead to Slovenia's first early election since independence in 1991, Reuters reported. The euro zone member's government, led by Prime Minister Borut Pahor, lost its parliamentary majority in May and has failed to implement economic reforms to stimulate the economy after a sharp contraction during the global financial crisis. Either President Danilo Turk or parliament now have seven days to nominate a new prime minister. If one is not elected in 30 days, an early parliamentary election has to be called. The next election would normally be due in September 2012. -- SPA
