Controversy erupted at the end of last week when it became clear that Boris Štefanec, picked to be the new president of the anti-graft watchdog, was a member of the ruling Positive Slovenia (PS) right until the day he was appointed.

This prompted bipartisan calls that he step down, and it led to sharp criticism of Pahor, who apparently knew about Šfefanec's party affiliation and nevertheless decided to endorse him although oversight of finances of party heads is one of the commission's main tasks.

Pahor himself appeared apprehensive about his pick of president (the only candidate put forward by a screening commission), saying on Friday that he might have decided differently had he been given a bigger role in the appointment procedure.

Ferme quoted "circumstances which do not bode well...for my work" as the reason for his resignation, and voiced the hope that Pahor's next pick would "not leave a shadow of a doubt that you will be completely confident about your decision."

Similarly, Stare said he was motivated by the "implicit doubt" expressed by Pahor himself, which "cast a shadow of doubt as to whether the selection procedure was completely fair."

Štefanec has so far rejected calls that he resign. He told the STA today he had no such plans, after earlier telling sobotainfo.com, a news portal: "Boris Štefanec will not resign!"

However, a statement from the president's office suggests Pahor might ask Štefanec to change his mind. "The president has asked Mr. Štefanec to thoroughly examine these circumstances and decide whether he can nevertheless work successfully."