By ALI ZERDIN, Associated Press
LJUBLJANA, Slovenia (AP) — Voters in Slovenia on Sunday solid ballots to elect a latest president of the European Union nation, with three principal contenders leading the race but no clear winner in sight.
Though the presidency is essentially ceremonial in Slovenia, Sunday’s vote continues to be seen as a test for its liberal government amid a soaring crisis fueled by the war in Ukraine.
A populist opposition politician has led pre-election polls but not one of the contenders appears set to win greater than half of the ballots. This implies a runoff vote likely will likely be held in three weeks featuring the 2 best-placed candidates.
Surveys put right-wing former foreign minister Anze Logar on 30%, followed by centrist independent candidate Natasa Pirc Musar with around 20% and government-backed Social Democrat Milan Brglez with 17%.
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The three have emerged as favorites amongst seven candidates. Analysts expect Logar to make it to the runoff but say his opponent may very well be either Pirc Musar or Brglez who’re polling close to 1 one other.
Slovenia’s 1.7 million eligible voters will eventually pick a successor to incumbent Borut Pahor. He has served two full five-year terms and was banned from running for a 3rd.
While in office, Pahor tried to bridge Slovenia’s left-right divide that continues to be a source of political tension within the traditionally moderate and stable nation of two million.
Logar, who served under right-wing Prime Minister Janez Jansa, has sought to shake off a populist image and present himself as a unifier. Logar’s victory would deal a blow to the present liberal government that ousted Jansa from power six months ago.
Moderate voters are expected to rally within the runoff behind whoever emerges as Logar’s opponent. Left and liberal-leaning Slovenes view Jansa as a non-democratic and divisive figure.
If Pirc Musar wins, she’s going to grow to be the primary female president of Slovenia because the country became independent from the previous Yugoslavia in 1991.
Brglez, who’s a member of European Parliament, entered the race late within the campaign after an initial government favorite withdrew, citing private reasons.
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