The PS added a percentage point to 17.3%, with the SDS dropping five points to 14.7% while the opposition Social Democrats (SDS) remained level at 14.1%.

The other parties are far behind, with the Citizens List (DL) inching higher to 4.4%, the People's Party (SLS) up half a point to 3.5%, the New Slovenia flat at 3.2% and the Pensioners' Party (DeSUS) rebounding from 0.7 to 2.7%.

The government's approval rating plunged from about 30% in the past few months to less than 20% as 71% said it was doing a poor job.

Politicans' ratings remained virtually unchanged. President Danilo Türk is firmly in the lead, followed by European Environment Commissioner Janez Potočnik, SLS leader Radovan Žerjav and former SD leader Borut Pahor.

The poll, commissioned by POP TV and the daily Dnevnik, was carried out between 17 and 19 July and included 700 respondents.