"The SD presidency has given a very strong message by supporting the strongest candidate our party has," SD deputy group leader said. The final decision will be reached in two weeks.

Pahor told reporters it would "mean a lot" to him if he was endorsed as candidate. His message to the voters will be: "Respect differences but reinforce what we have in common."

The preliminary decision appears to end two weeks of uncertainty over which candidate the party would endorse for the autumn presidential election.

Pahor was defeated in the election for the party president on 2 June, losing to Igor Lukšič, but not before he announced he would vie for the top national office.

His decision put the SocDems in a tight spot, as they had endorsed incumbent Danilo Türk five years ago and were expected to do so again.

Media reports suggested the rank-and-file were split over the support for Pahor's bid but the party would unite behind their leader of 15 years.

The latest opinion polls give Türk a significant edge over Pahor.

But the polls also suggest that if Pahor runs, there will be two left candidates in the run-off for the first time, as the candidate of the right, MEP Milan Zver, is far behind.