As many as 75% of those questioned said they did not support sending Slovenian soldiers off to Mali after the government decided to send up to four military instructors to the African country to join the EU-led mission.

Only 20% supported deploying Slovenian troops to Mali. Above average support was voiced by the respondents who support the Democratic Party (SDS) of PM Janez Janša (49% in favour) and respondents aged 18-25 (40%).

Quizzed about the latest series of staff replacements at ministries and state-owned companies, only 12% agreed with the claim that the government had the mandate for such staffing decisions, against 81% who thought the government did not have such a mandate.

Respondents were also questioned about their projections for Tina Maze's medal tally at the Alpine World Championships in Schladming and about who they deemed the best Slovenian skier ever.

The poll, which was carried out before Maze won her second medal in Schladming, found that 40% expect her to bag three medals and 25% reckon she could win four, and another 20% project five medals for her.

Respondents voted Maze Slovenia's best woman Alpine skier ever (68%), ahead of Mateja Svet (26%), while Bojan Križaj was picked as the best male Alpine skier (75%) ahead of Rok Petrovič (11%).

A great majority (76%) also agreed with the claim that Alpine skiing was Slovenia's main national sport.