The new Czech Government has won a vote of confidence in parliament, scraping through by 101 votes to 98. The vote was a test of the government's razor-thin majority, which has set itself the tasks of bringing the country into the European Union and strengthening the social welfare system. The opposition criticised the government's plans for a bigger budget deficit, something the International Monetary Fund also voiced concern over in a report issued in Washington. After a day of sharp criticism from opposition deputies, members of Parliament stood up one by one and expressed support or opposition to the confidence motion. All the government's 101 deputies supported it, a good omen for a three-party coalition that will now rule with the thinnest of possible majorities. Joining the EU is the main issue binding the three parties together. Other issues, such as the plans of the new Prime Minister, Vladimir Spidla, to strengthen the welfare system, are more divisive. The question of state finances is also a worry, with a significant increase in the budget deficit looking very likely.