Janša is seen as the best PM-designate by 38.2% of respondents, up from 31.4% in the previous poll. Janković, on the other hand, slipped from 51% to 34.7%.

The poll was carried out on 24 and 25 January, several days before Janša was actually appointed PM-elect in parliament.

Janša's result does not yet translate into firm backing for his five-member centre-right coalition, which enjoys the support of 46.4% of respondents whereas 47% disapprove.

The new prime minister can however count on public support for austerity measures, as fully 56.3% back his plans to shave EUR 800m off public spending this year.

In similar vein, more than two-thirds support plans to put a debt ceiling into the Constitution.

The telephone survey was carried out by Delo's in-house Stik agency and included a representative sample of 603 respondents.