Prague - The Czech government of Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek collapsed Tuesday after it lost a vote of no-confidence in parliament midway through the country's presidency of the European Union.

The leftist opposition was helped by four renegade lawmakers elected to Topolanek's ruling coalition in toppling the cabinet by the slimmest of majorities, 101 votes.

Topolanek collected 96 votes in the 200-seat lower house after failing to win over the renegades in last-minute talks.

The cabinet's collapse threatens to undermine the EU presidency ending June 30 and hinder efforts to ratify bloc's reform pact, the Lisbon Treaty.

It is also likely to complicate the Czech Republic's efforts to battle the economic slump and kill the Czech-US missile defence treaties, Topolanek's key foreign policy project.

President Vaclav Klaus holds the key to future developments. He has so far declined to disclose his steps. Meanwhile, Topolanek's cabinet is to stay in in a caretaker capacity.

Topolanek said his party would prefer an early election in the summer if attempts at forming a new government fail. The opposition Social Democrats favour autumn elections. (dpa)