Opposition MPs had been boycotting parliament for more than a week in a bid to force Prime Minister Mikulas Dzurinda to call early elections.

But Mr Dzurinda secured support for his administration winning a parliamentary majority by just one vote.

Some independent deputies gave him the support he needed.

The opposition parties wanted to show that the government had lost the mandate to rule and an early election was needed.

Correspondents say the slim majority means the coalition would still remain vulnerable to calls for early elections.