The president does not have executive powers, but the election is exceptionally important since he is directly elected, which gives him a high degree of political and moral authority, Virant said.

He expects a fair campaign based on positive messages and the absence of negative campaigning.

All election procedures will commence on 20 August, when candidates will be able to collect signatures and formally file their candidacies.

Candidates may be put forward by ten MPs or individual political parties, or they may run with the support of the signatures of at least 5,000 voters.

Candidacies are due by 17 October and the ballot will be confirmed by the National Electoral Commission by 26 October.

If none of the candidates secures 50% in the first round a run-off between the top two candidates will be held, probably on 2 December.

The official campaign will start on 12 October, though campaigning is already in full swing.

President Danilo Türk will seek a second term with the support of voters, whereas the opposition Social Democrats (SD) have backed their former leader Borut Pahor and Milan Zver will run with the support of the coalition Democrats (SDS) and New Slovenia (NSi).

Several others are expected to run, but they stand little chance. The polls currently favour Türk, but Pahor has been closing the gap in the recent weeks.