Erjavec, speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the executive council's session, said the party's withdrawal from the coalition could only be decided by the council, which is due to meet on 5 February.

If the council adopts the decision, the two ministers and state secretaries from the ranks of DeSUS would tender their resignations to PM Janez Janša on 22 February.

The decision comes after the Citizens' List (DL) left the coalition on Wednesday and its two ministers resigned today, along with party leader Gregor Virant as the speaker of the National Assembly.