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Of the 12 nominated candidates, only the current party president, PM Alenka Bratušek, and her predecessor Zoran Janković have announced to stand for the post.

Ljubljana Mayor Janković's announcement to challenge Bratušek at the upcoming congress has immediately upset the coalition partners.

They share a view that his return to the helm of the party would mean an end to the ruling coalition over his being accused of corruption by the national watchdog.

Bratušek is expected to respond to Janković's move today, with unofficial information suggesting she might event pull out of the PS election race.

This new development will be debated today by the Pensioners' Party (DeSUS), and the Social Democrats (SD) are thinking of calling a meeting of its leadership.

While the PS congress is scheduled for 19 October, some party members are said to be pushing for its postponement.

However, the information obtained by the STA suggests this is unlikely.

The executive committee will also debate the manner in which to elect a new president, most likely in a secret ballot.

Once the committee endorses the list of candidates, the PS rules do not allow new candidates.