Nussdorfer has already presented her vision to deputy groups. The opposition Positive Slovenia (PS), Social Democrats (SD) and junior coalition Citizens' List (DL) have expressed support for her.

Meanwhile, the ruling Democrats (SDS) and the coalition New Slovenia (NSi), People's Party (SLS) and Pensioners' Party (DeSUS) have yet to make their decisions.

Pahor's office said that the president decided to nominate Nussdorfer after it became clear that none of the candidates would muster enough support to be appointed to the post, which will become vacant at the end of February.

A total of 26 people submitted their candidacies, but after the first round of consultations with parliamentary parties, none of them stood out.

In such cases, the president usually nominates his own candidate. But Nussdorfer was not his first choice for the post, as constitutional law expert Miro Cerar rejected his offer last week.

Nussdorfer is an active children's rights advocate and heads an association providing aid to victims of crime. She already ran for ombudsman six years ago but was beaten by the outgoing Zdenka Čebašek Travnik.