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"I'm leaving because those who should have left did not," Virant said in his address to the National Assembly, noting that presiding over the parliament had been "an extraordinary experience".

Presečnik's appointment is in accordance with parliamentary rules of procedure stipulating that the oldest deputy speaker is named as stand-in until parliament elects a new speaker.

After the DL quit the coalition its two cabinet members, Finance Minister Janez Šušteršič and Public Administration and Justice Minister Senko Pličanič, tendered their resignations as well.

Parliament will formally take note of their resignation on Thursday, which triggers deadlines for the appointment of new ministers or the assignment of the portfolios to other cabinet members.

Presečnik told reporters his wish was to remain speaker for as short a time as possible. A candidate for speaker may be nominated by ten deputies.

The National Assembly also confirmed the mandate of a new DL deputy, Branko Kurnjek. He succeeds Truda Pepelnik, who resigned after she was found guilty of abuse of administrative procedure as a senior official of the Ruše municipality.