She added she was leaving Positive Slovenia (PS) after she was defeated for the party presidency by PS founder Zoran Janković.

Although Bratušek had announced she could not lead the government if defeated at the congress of the party she led in the past year, she said today she intended to talk to the heads of other coalition partners in order to find a solution good for the country before any major decisions are made.

She however added that "an early election in Slovenia is a fact" and that "it is right that people say who is to form and hold in their hands the fate of Slovenia in the coming four years".

President Pahor said he agreed with the view that an early election is the only possibility in the present situation, which is why he will not use his power to propose a PM-designate to the National Assembly.

Pahor's office added that the president had said that the "responsibility for the government is first and foremost" Bratušek's.

Bratušek warned against rash decisions that could do more harm than good, while announcing she would "absolutely resign immediately" if an election could be organised before the summer.

She however added that timeline projections indicated this to be practically impossible, which is why she will first consult coalition partners this week on how to mitigate the damage for the country.

On the other hand, Bratušek indicated that an "early election can absolutely be held before the summer and Alenka Bratušek will not be an obstacle" in case all other holders of the right to propose a PM-designate give up this right and follow Pahor's example. She mentioned "very early July" as an option.

Asked whether she still planned to seek a confidence vote in parliament, she answered in the negative, while adding that she expected of the present ministers to stay with her until the end.

The PM moreover stressed that the country's present situation - also in terms of the budget and financial liquidity - means that no panic is necessary because of the early election.

Alongside the PM a number of PS deputies are expected to leave the PS or its deputy group in the coming days, as the rift in the biggest parliamentary party continues to widen despite attempts by Janković to patch things up.

Meanwhile, coalition parters agree with the need for an early election, especially the Citizens' List (DL) which continues to stress it needs to be held as soon as possible.

If Bratušek resigned or would not survive a potential confidence vote this would entail a collapse of the entire government and parliament would need to elect a new PM-designate within 30 days - if it failed to do so, the president can dissolve parliament and call a snap election.

It is the president, as well as deputy groups or at least 10 MPs who have the power to propose a PM-designate.

If they gave up this right, the door to early elections would open sooner. Elections need to be called within two months after parliament is dissolved but cannot be held sooner than 40 days after they are called.