Representatives of employer interests in the new term will include Association of Employers (ZDS) president Milan Lukić, secretary general of Employers' Association Igor Antauer, Chamber of Commerce board member Marija Lah and incumbent Stojan Binder.

Former Primorje boss Dušan Črnigoj, former HSE boss Borut Meh and furniture chain Lesnina chairman Bojan Papić were not among the candidates.

Staying on as representatives of employees are unionists Dušan Semolič (ZSSS), Branimir Štrukelj (KSJS), Drago Ščernjavič (SDO) and Oskar Komac (SDGD). Unionist Janez Posedi (Pergam) failed to receive sufficient votes.

Ljubljana University Chancellor Stanislav Pejovnik will represent interests of universities and schools in the new term. The incumbent councillor, economist Jože Mencinger, did not run for another term.

Elections for the 22 councillors representing local communities finished yesterday, with a number of mayors elected into the National Council, including Maribor's embattled Franc Kangler, whose victory last night was spoilt by some 1,000 people that surrounded the city hall demanding his resignation.

The current president of the National Council, Blaž Kavčič, failed to get re-elected, having been beaten in his electoral district by Senčur Mayor Mirko Kozelj.

In a statement for the STA, Kavčič said the council had worked well during his term and achieved above-average results in communication with the civil society and in putting forward legislative proposals. He also believes the chamber boosted its recognisability.

He however expressed concern over the election, saying that the role of political parties in the National Council, especially the ruling Democrats (SDS), was increasing.

A total of 127 candidates ran for the 40 seats in the chamber; 83 for representatives of local interest and 44 for labour and welfare interests.

The councillors have five-year terms and are elected indirectly, with the electoral votes of various associations, societies and institutions.

The powers of the upper chamber are limited - they can call on the National Assembly to pass laws, issue non-binding opinions on legislation and other matters, veto acts, call legislative referendums, and request inquiries into matters of public importance.

The National Electoral Commission (DVK) is expected to publish official results of the National Council elections on 27 November. The newly-elected councillors will then gather for the inaugural session on 12 December, when they are also to elect a new council president.

Members of the new National Council representing interest groups: Stojan Binder, Marija Lah, Igor Antauer, Milan Lukić (employers), Dušan Semolič, Branimir Štrukelj, Drago Ščernjavič, Oskar Komac (employees), Cvetko Zupančič, Peter Vrisk (agriculture), Alojz Kovšca (crafts), Bojana Potočan (small businesses), Radovan Stanislav Pejovnik (universities), Zoran Božič (education), Janvit Golob (research), Mitja Bervar (culture and sports), Peer Požun (healthcare), Darija Kuzmanič Korva (social care).

Members of the new National Council representing local interests: Metod Ropret (Ljubljana), Tonia Dragar (Domžale), Franc Kangler (Maribor), Milan Ozimič (Slovenska Bistrica), Janko Požežnik (Celje), Milan Medved (Velenje), Fajko Fajt (Ptuj), Branko Šumenjak (Ormož), Mirko Kozelj (Kranj), Stevo Ščavničar (Jesenice), Alojz Glavač (Murska Sobota), Tomaž Horvat (Nova Gorica), Uroš Brežan (Idrija), Bojan Kekec (Novo mesto), Samer Khalil (Metlika), Jernej Verbič (Postojna), Miloš Pohole (Vrhnika), Boris Popovič (Koper), Franc Golob (Dravograd), Jože Slivšek (Krško), Matjaž Švagan (Trbovlje), Dušan Strnad (Kočevje).