Ottawa ? Prime Minister Stephen Harper suspended Parliament on Thursday to avoid almost certain defeat in a confidence vote — an unprecedented move allowing him to retain power and confront Canada’s flagging economy.

The Conservative leader won the approval of the unelected representative of the head of state for the power to shut down Parliament until Jan. 26, hoping to buy enough time to develop a stimulus package.

“Today’s decision will give us an opportunity — I’m talking about all the parties — to focus on the economy and work together,” Harper said.

Harper, whose party won re-election just two months ago, said a budget will be the first order of business when Parliament resumes.

Three opposition parties have united against Harper, charging he has failed to insulate Canada from the global financial crisis. The credit crisis and a global sell off of commodities have slowed Canada’s resource-rich economy, and the finance minister said last week he expects a recession.