Clouds have gathered over Pico: Putin may lose his last ally in Europe.
Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Pico's coalition has lost its stable majority: it now lacks one vote to pass laws.
The reason was the departure of Deputy Roman Maltinets from the nationalist "Rural Party". He joined former environment minister Thomas Tarbe.
That left the government with 75 of the 76 votes required in the 150-seat parliament.
The opposition called for early elections. Its leader Michal Simchaka called them the only way out of the situation.
The ruling coalition, on the other hand, does not see the loss of the majority as critical and expects to negotiate with deputies on certain issues.