Slovaks take a turn to the left and look set to vote out PM

Slovakia: Reform-weary Slovaks look likely to oust eastern Europe's longest-serving prime minister when they go the polls today.

During an eight-year reign, Mikulas Dzurinda has guided Slovakia into the European Union and Nato and transformed the country of 5.4 million people into a magnet for foreign investment.

But the very things that attract multinationals - low wages and low corporate taxes - have angered an electorate that polls suggest now favours a left-wing party promising to tax the rich and spend the proceeds on social programmes.

Surveys predict the Smer opposition party will take about 28 per cent of the vote, and Mr Dzurinda's Slovak Democratic and Christian Union around 13 per cent.

With his two allies in the current ruling coalition, Mr Dzurinda could edge ahead of Smer, but those parties have shown a readiness to discuss future partnership with Smer leader Robert Fico, who is likely to be given the first chance to form a new government.

Mr Fico has accused the current administration of being too soft on corruption and cosying up to big business at the expense of Slovakia's poor.

"There are enormous regional differences in Slovakia, so many citizens don't feel the positive outcome of the reforms yet," said Slovak academic Miroslav Kusy. "On the other hand, the government's reputation has been shattered by a series of scandals and internal disputes within the coalition."

However, many analysts warn that Mr Fico's plans - particularly those to scrap Slovakia's 19 percent flat tax rate - would send a shiver through foreign investors who have pumped more than $11 billion into the country over the past seven years.

Economists also warn that Mr Fico's vow to increase state spending would swell Slovakia's budget deficit and jeopardise plans to adopt the euro in 2009.

"You are using leftist populist rhetoric," Mr Dzurinda shouted at Mr Fico during a television debate this week. "Cancelling the flat tax will destroy Slovakia's business environment."

Mr Fico quickly countered: "We need to have a more socially fair system. Those who have billions will have to contribute more than those who have little."

Many parties have vowed not to co-operate in coalition-building after the election.