The candidacy will be filed at the next parliamentary session, presumably on Friday when MPs could also take a vote on his appointment, SD deputy group leader Dusan Kumer told the press in Ljubljana.

According to Kumer, the LDS and the SD chose Germic unanimously, as they believe that he is the "right choice" that he would be a good chair of the National Assembly.

LDS deputy group leader Borut Sajovic said he regretted Gantar's decision to resign, but added that Germic was also a trustworthy person, who would look for solutions and cooperation rather than divisions.

Germic said he also regretted Gantar's resignation, but pointed out that the conditions must be upheld for the National Assembly to continue its work uninterrupted.

He said he saw the speaker as the "first among equals", whose support must not vanish after the appointment. He announced consultations with all MPs, respectful dialogue and measures for the benefit of all citizens with strong consensus.

Germic is serving his third consecutive term in the National Assembly and is the chair of the parliamentary Health Committee, the vice-chair of the Committee for Labour, the Family and Social Affairs and a member of two other parliamentary bodies.

The nominee needs to garner at least 46 votes in the 90-seat assembly to get elected and deputy groups have already announced sufficient support.

Along with the 33-strong coalition, Zares, the Pensioners' Party (DeSUS) and the National Party (SNS) have expressed their support among the opposition parties, adding up to 50 votes.

Zares will support Germic because the National Assembly needs to operate in good order up to the point of a possible early election, for which it needs a speaker, according to Zares deputy group leader Franco Juri.

SNS president Zmago Jelincic meanwhile said Germic was neutral and the least politically burdened coalition MP. "He is a man you can count on and a man who doesn't abuse his political position," Jelincic told the STA.

The Democrats (SDS) meanwhile said they would vote against Germic, while the People's Party (SLS) and the independent MPs' group is expected to decide on Tuesday.

Current Speaker Gantar announced that he would step down on 1 September after his party Zares quit the ruling coalition in June.