The following are profiles of the main parties in Slovakia.

The Slovak Democratic and Christian Union (SDKU)

A centre-right party led by Dzurinda, central Europe's longest serving leader. His election victory in 1998 over anti-Western leftist Vladimir Meciar launched a wave of reforms that

brought Slovakia into NATO and the European Union, and on track to join the euro. Dzurinda has been lauded by western investors for his liberal reforms, such as a 19 percent flat tax. Dzurinda has proven to be a skillful politician,

though his economic reforms have alienated many poor voters. 2002 election result: 15.1 percent. January 2006 opinion poll: 11.1 percent.

The Christian Democratic Movement (KDH)

The KDH, led by Pavol Hrusovsky, is to the right of the SDKU and quit the ruling coalition on Monday in a row over a treaty with the Vatican. The party, which has 15 seats in parliament, is mildly eurosceptic and had opposed the EU constitution. It holds strict views on abortion, gay rights and divorce. 2002 election: 8.3 percent. 2006 opinion poll: 9.1.

The ethnic Hungarian party (SMK)

A centre-right party that represents Slovakia's Hungarian minority, around 10 percent of the population. SMK controls the regional development, environmental and agriculture ministries. The party, the SDKU's only remaining coalition partner, has 20 seats in parliament. 2002 result: 11.2 percent. 2006 opinion poll: 9.6.

Smer

A leftist opposition party that is the biggest opponent of Dzurinda's reforms and the most popular Slovak party with 27 seats in parliament. Led by Robert Fico, a lawyer and former member of the reformed communists. Smer advocates the reversal of the flat income tax system and criticises what it calls a culture of cronyism and corruption in Slovak politics.

Fico says Slovakia should not rush to the euro zone and could push back its entry past the 2009 target date. Smer opposed the U.S.-led war in Iraq and criticised Slovakia's EU entry terms. 2002 result: 13.5 percent. 2006 opinion poll: 36.8.

The Movement for a Democratic

Slovakia-People's Union (HZDS)

Led by Meciar, a former authoritarian leader shunned by the West, HZDS traditionally

favours state control of the economy. In recent years, Meciar has denounced his former anti-Western rhetoric and supported Dzurinda on some key reform votes in parliament, where HZDS holds 22 seats. 2002 election: 19.5 percent. 2006 opinion poll: 13.3.

Slovak National Party (SNS)

An extreme right party, it opposed EU and NATO membership and views itself as the defender of traditional Slovak culture. It failed to enter parliament in the last election but polls suggest it may reach the 5 percent threshold this time. 2002 election: 3.3 percent. 2006 opinion poll: 5.2.

Communist Party (KSS)

Led by Jozef Sevc, a member of the European parliament. A far-left party opposed to all market reforms. The party has 9 seats in parliament, but opinion polls suggest it will struggle to cross the 5 percent bar in the next election. 2002 election: 6.3 percent. 2006 opinion poll: 4.0

Free Forum (SF)

Defected from the SDKU in 2004 accusing Dzurinda of authoritarian leadership. It is a natural ally of other rightist parties, but does not want Dzurinda to remain prime minister. 2006 opinion poll: 6.6 percent.

Reuters