Canadian PM likely to time-out parliament

OTTAWA, Dec. 3 (UPI) -- Embattled Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper was poised Wednesday to seek a suspension of parliament to prevent a power seizure by an opposition coalition.

The minority Conservative government came under attack last week by the Liberals, the socialist New Democratic Party and the separatist Bloc Quebecois for its wait-and-see approach to the global economic crisis. The parties formed a coalition and are seeking to bring down the government on a non-confidence vote as early as next week.

The option Harper is widely expected to pursue is asking Governor General Michaelle Jean to prorogue, or suspend, parliament until Jan. 28 when the Conservatives would present their budget, the Canwest News Service said.

Tuesday, Harper lashed out at the coalition for its inclusion of the Bloc Quebecois.

"This deal that the leader of the Liberal party has made with the separatists is a betrayal of the voters of this country, a betrayal of the best interests of our economy, a betrayal of the best interests of our country, and we will fight it with every means we have," Harper said.

Meanwhile, Jean cut short a European state visit and was to return to Ottawa Wednesday.

"It is time for me to go home," Jean told a Toronto Star correspondent in Prague. "I think my presence is required."