Ljubljana - The Social Democrats (SD) endorsed a list of 86 candidates for the 24 April general election in Ljubljana on Thursday with party leader Tanja Fajon declaring their goal was to bring Slovenia back on track.

Fajon announced a "period of great change", asserting the convention brought the opposition party a step closer to victory and Slovenia a step closer to the image they wanted for it.

This would be a country recognised internationally for knowledge, skills, respectful communication and the manners of its leaders, economically successful and in the heart of a stable and safe Europe.

Referring to the war in Ukraine, she said a new geopolitical Europe was being born which countries should get ready for and do all in their power to stop the war.

They were meeting leaders of European social-democratic governments to ensure security with timely measures. "This is an opportunity for Europe to put integration into higher gear and raise the political union to a higher level," said Fajon, who serves as a MEP.

Of the 86 candidates to stand for the SD, almost half are women and 13% are young. Fajon will stand in Ljubljana along with party vice-president Dominika Švarc Pipan, while another VP, former Justice Minister Andreja Katič will stand in Velenje.

Also standing are the party's current MPs Matjaž Han, Soniboj Knežak, Matjaž Nemec, Meira Hot, Predrag Baković, Samo Bevk, Marko Koprivc, Gregor Židan, Bojana Muršič, Franc Trček, Jani Prednik and Dejan Židan.

The party slate also includes some celebrities, such as actor and TV presenter Jonas Žnidaršič, journalist Blaž Zgaga, and former MEP and Court of Audit president Igor Šoltes.

Former Culture Minister Dejan Prešiček, former Education Ministry State Secretary Jernej Štromajer and Milan Martin Cvikl, a former member of the European Court of Auditors, are also on the list.

The SD emerged as the third strongest party in the 2018 general election, winning 9.93% of the vote.