Gantar said in a press release that his resignation was the right thing to do given that Zares had left the coalition.

He postponed stepping down until September because the senior coalition SocDems have not yet responded to his suggestion that they propose a candidate to succeed him.

The SD is expected to put forward a candidate within a month and a half and Gantar plans to step down after that to make sure his post is not left vacant.

Gantar said in a press release that this was his personal decision and that he had not been subjected to any pressure from his party.