In his presentation before the appointment, Vasle said he would have an open and cooperative approach to management. He is considered an independent expert and has largely kept out of the public eye.

Serving as IMAD director for 11 years, Vasle has been involved in several key economic challenges, such as a programme to reduce inflation, Slovenia's eurozone integration and a programme of structural measures to address the recent economic crisis.

The 49-year-old has worked with all major decision-makers in Slovenia and with international institutions, such as the IMF, EU and European Central Bank. He is also a member of several expert boards in Slovenia and abroad.

He is taking over at a time when Slovenia's banking system is in a much better state than it was a few years ago. However, many believe that a new cooling of the economy, if not a full-blown crisis, is around the corner.

It took two rounds of calls for applications and parliamentary votes to get a new governor. In the first round, President Borut Pahor nominated for the job vice-governor Primož Dolenc, but he did not receive the sufficient support in parliament.

In the second round, Vasle emerged as a compromise candidate acceptable to most parties and was appointed by 51 votes in favour and 28 against in Slovenia's 90-member legislature.

Vasle will be the fifth governor after France Arhar, Mitja Gaspari, Marko Kranjec and Jazbec.