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Next EU chair Slovenia votes for president

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12/11/2007 07:20

By Marja Novak

LJUBLJANA (Reuters) - Slovenians were voting in a presidential runoff on Sunday with leftist Danilo Turk likely to beat a government-backed conservative and lead the ex-communist state when it assumes the European Union presidency next year.

Turk, a law professor and former diplomat supported by the main left-wing parties, leads the opinion polls and is expected to beat Lojze Peterle, endorsed by most of the right-of-centre ruling coalition.

Polling stations for 1.7 million eligible voters opened at 7 a.m. (6 a.m. British time) and will close at 7 p.m. (6 p.m. British time). Turnout by 11 a.m. British time was 18 percent.

First exit polls are expected immediately after the polls close and preliminary results are due around 9 p.m. British time.

A victory for Turk would extend small but wealthy Slovenia’s tradition of having left-wing heads of state since it quit communist Yugoslavia in 1991.

Analysts also said his victory would confirm growing discontent with Prime Minister Janez Jansa’s conservative government and boost the opposition social democrats ahead of a parliamentary election due in autumn 2008.

Jansa’s popularity has plunged this year because of steadily rising inflation since Slovenia adopted the euro in January.

"It’s time the government realize people are not deaf .....continued below

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and blind. With my vote I hope to help towards a slightly brighter future in Slovenia," said Darja Robic, a 54-year-old English teacher, as she cast her vote in the capital Ljubljana.

The feeling among Ljubljana residents interviewed by Reuters confirmed the latest available opinion polls, published last week, which gave Turk between 58 and 69 percent support.

"I want someone who has experience in diplomacy. That is why I’m here today. I don’t want the other candidate to win," said Slava Mezik, a 59-year-old entrepreneur.

The winner will be sworn in days before Slovenia takes over the rotating six-month EU presidency on January 1.

The president’s role is largely ceremonial but will include an active part in international contacts during the EU presidency, when analysts say Turk’s diplomatic background could be an asset.

Turk was Slovenia’s first ambassador to the United Nations. He chaired the U.N. Security Council in 1998-1999 and then became U.N. assistant secretary general for political affairs.

Turk came second to Peterle in the first round of the election in October but has gained support from backers of a losing leftist candidate.

Incumbent Janez Drnovsek, a popular left-winger who has often clashed with the centre-right government, did not seek a second five-year term and has not backed any candidate.

(Reporting by Marja Novak and Manca Ulcar; Editing by Zoran Radosavljevic and Giles Elgood)

By Marja Novak

Polling stations for 1.7 million eligible voters opened at 7 a.m. (6 a.m. British time) and will close at 7 p.m. (6 p.m. British time). Turnout by 11 a.m. British time was 18 percent.

First exit polls are expected immediately after the polls close and preliminary results are due around 9 p.m. British time.

A victory for Turk would extend small but wealthy Slovenia’s tradition of having left-wing heads of state since it quit communist Yugoslavia in 1991.

Jansa’s popularity has plunged this year because of steadily rising inflation since Slovenia adopted the euro in January.

"It’s time the government realize people are not deaf and blind. With my vote I hope to help towards a slightly brighter future in Slovenia," said Darja Robic, a 54-year-old English teacher, as she cast her vote in the capital Ljubljana.