( CNN ) -- Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper said Thursday that Canada 's governor general has allowed him to suspend Parliament , postponing a no-confidence vote from his opponents that he was likely to lose . Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper says Parliament will resume on January 26 . Harper called on his opponents to work with his government on measures to aid the nation 's economy when Parliament returns on January 26 . `` The first order of business will be the presentation of a federal budget , '' Harper told reporters outside the governor general 's residence in Ottawa , Canada . `` Those who were elected here to serve the interest of Canada as a whole should work together -- at least to some degree -- on planning an economic plan for Canada . '' Had Governor General Michaelle Jean -- who represents Britain 's Queen Elizabeth II as head of state -- denied Harper 's request , Monday 's vote would have likely brought down Harper 's government , less than two months after his Conservative Party strengthened its minority position in federal elections . The Liberal Party and the leftist New Democratic Party announced plans earlier this week to form a governing coalition with the support of the Bloc Quebecois , which supports independence for French-speaking Quebec . Liberal Party Leader Stephane Dion , the man who would fill Harper 's role under the planned coalition , said the coalition would look to replace Harper unless he makes `` monumental change . '' `` For the first time in the history of Canada , the prime minister of Canada is running away from the parliament of Canada , '' said Dion , accusing the premier of placing `` partisan politics ahead of the interest of all Canadians . '' New Democratic Party leader Jack Layton said Harper had used a `` maneuver to escape accountability . '' `` He refuses to face the people of Canada through their elected representatives , '' he said . `` The prime minister is choosing to protect his own job rather than focusing on the jobs of Canadians who are being thrown out of work today . '' The news comes one day after Harper appealed directly to Canadians for support , vowing in a nationally televised address on the economy to halt his opponents , whom he accused of imposing their own agenda on the Canadian people . `` Unfortunately , even before the government has brought forward its budget , and only seven weeks after a general election , the opposition wants to overturn the results of that election , '' said the prime minister , whose Conservative Party strengthened its minority position in federal elections on October 14. iReport.com : Outrage brewing in Canada . Harper rejected the idea of a `` power-sharing coalition with a separatist party , '' referring to the Bloc Quebecois , and insisted the country must stand together . `` At a time of global economic instability , Canada 's government must stand unequivocally for keeping the country together . At a time like this , a coalition with the separatists can not help Canada , '' he said Wednesday . `` The opposition is attempting to impose this deal without your say , without your consent , and without your vote . This is no time for backroom deals with the separatists ; it is the time for Canada 's government to focus on the economy and specifically on measures for the upcoming budget . This is a pivotal moment in our history , '' he said . Harper , 49 , has served as prime minister since February 2006 .
NEW : Opposition accuses PM Harper of putting his job ahead of Canada 's interests . Move postpones opposition parties ' plan for no-confidence vote next week . Liberal and New Democratic parties join with Bloc Quebecois to try to unseat Tories . Vote likely would have brought down Canada 's Conservative government .