Prague ? The Czech government collapsed Tuesday after losing a parliamentary no-confidence vote over its handling of the economic crisis.

It was a huge embarrassment for Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek, coming just days before a planned visit by President Barack Obama and midway through the Czech Republic’s six-month European Union presidency.

The lower house of Parliament voted 101-96 to declare no confidence in the three-party coalition government, after four lawmakers broke rank with their parties and voted with the opposition. Three legislators were absent from the vote.

It was the first time a government has been ousted by parliament since the country came to existence after the 1993 split of Czechoslovakia.

Topolanek said he could resign after a planned trip to Brussels today. “I take the vote into account and will act according to the Constitution,” he said.

There has been no indication of whom President Vaclav Klaus might choose to form a new Cabinet. If three attempts to form a government fail, early elections must be called.