BRATISLAVA (Reuters) - Slovak National Party leader Andrej Danko, a potential kingmaker in government coalition talks, refused on Saturday to join a wide coalition of centre-right parties, deepening the political deadlock after last weekend's inconclusive election.
Outgoing Prime Minister Robert Fico, whose centre-left Smer party won the most votes but lost its parliamentary majority, has until Friday to form a government.
He is facing a difficult task as two parties that were seen as likely coalition partners have already given him the cold shoulder.
Smer needs to find at least two and probably three coalition partners among the eight parties which won parliamentary seats. So far, only the Slovak National Party has said it has found common ground with Smer.
If Fico fails in his bid, President Andrej Kiska will hand the task of forming a government to Richard Sulik, head of the second strongest, economically liberal Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) party.
But Danko said his party would not join Sulik's coalition that would include two new protest movements he fears would be a source of instability.
"Richard Sulik can't guarantee a functional and stable government. It would be a waste of time to create hybrids," Danko told reporters.
"If the first round of talks does not produce a government, we will not negotiate with Sulik and tell the president we will prefer a caretaker cabinet," Danko said.
Sulik's failure to form a government would open the way for several scenarios including a grand coalition, a caretaker cabinet or a possible snap election.
Slovakia will take over the rotating presidency of the European Union in the second half of the year, giving it a stronger voice on issues such as Europe's migration crisis.
The new government will be under pressure to improve healthcare and schooling and tackle corruption, issues blamed for voters' rejection of Smer, even though economic growth has remained strong during Fico's time in office.