The president's office said in a statement on Friday that the dates had been chosen so as to give Pahor enough time to think about a potential nomination.

Pahor held the first round of talks last week, saying on Thursday that he would call a second round if it seemed like a coalition was possible.

The Slovenian Constitution stipulates that the president must announce a prime minister-designate within 30 days after the National Assembly takes note of the outgoing prime minister's resignation or else early elections are called. This deadline expires on 28 February.

Pahor said today that he was supportive of talks even if they did not result in the formation of a coalition and snap elections would have to be called. The president expressed belief that open dialogue was a maturity test of democratic political cultures.

Talks have been ongoing between the Democratic Party (SDS), the biggest party in the National Assembly, with New Slovenia (NSi), the Modern Centre Party (SMC) and the Pensioners' Party (DeSUS), with SDS head Janez Janša saying last night that as far as content was concern, the parties could form a coalition.