Czech govt. faces no-confidence vote over US radar base

The Czech government is facing a no-confidence vote in the lower house of parliament over its decision to allow a U.S. missile defence station to be built on its territory. The opposition believe its wins in last week's regional and senate elections prove

This is the fourth no-confidence vote since Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek's party took office in January 2007.

It is also blamed for jeopardising health care reforms and, amid the financial crisis, the opposition says the government isn’t up to the job of taking over the European Union's rotating presidency in 2009.

Debate over radar base
 
The lower house is also set to start a debate on whether to ratify the deal allowing the controversial US radar base to be sited in the country.

The U.S. wants the base to be part of a missile defence system which they say will protect Europe against possible threats from states like Iran.

But the plans have sparked a number of protests in the centre of Prague and polls show the majority of Czechs oppose them.

Russia believes it will be a direct threat to its national security.