Pahor's announcement to stand for president came only hours before he lost as party president to Igor Lukšič on Saturday and was accompanied by criticism that he did not run it by the party.

However, today, Social Democrat MPs expressed unanimous support for his decision, said deputy group leader Janko Veber. Lukšič was also present at the meeting and did not express any reservations, according to Veber.

Apart from the SD, which he headed for the past 15 years, Pahor might also get the support from the coalition Citizens' List (DL) and the coalition Pensioners' Party (DeSUS).

Neither of the parties have decided whom they will support, but DL president Gregor Virant has said previously that he himself would support Pahor.

DeSUS head Karl Erjavec said that DeSUS was to endorse a centre-left candidate and will be deciding between Pahor and incumbent President Danilo Türk on Thursday.

Erjavec also told the STA that Pahor had expressed the wish to meet him. Türk meanwhile already enjoys the support of the biggest opposition party, the Positive Slovenia (PS).

Apart from Pahor and Türk, three more candidates have announced they will run for president. The ruling Democrats (SDS) put forward MEP Milan Zver, who also enjoys the support of coalition New Slovenia (NSi).

The head of non-parliamentary National Party Zmago Jelinčič has also joined the race, as well as independent candidate Marko Kožar.

At least one more party candidate may join the race, as it remains unclear which way the coalition People's Party will go. Party head Radovan Žerjav recently said that the party will either support its own candidate or none at all.