Cerar, who is the son of former LibDesm vice-president Zdenka Cerar but has been critical of parties across the political spectrum, said that he was nonetheless honoured by the offer to run for the post.

The jurist's name sprung up in the media after Pahor's talks with deputy group leaders on Thursday indicated that the president's nomination of a candidate may prove problematic since none of the 26 candidates that had applied for the post would probably get the necessary two-thirds majority in parliament.

Cerar was not among the candidates, the president however has the right to nominate individuals who did not apply for the job.

Pahor is expected to put forward his candidate to parliament next week. After the president's nomination, the National Assembly will take a vote within 45 days on the new ombudsman to succeed Zdenka Čebašek-Travnik. Her six-year term ends on 21 February.