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ALDE was due to decide on accepting the PS as a member at a meeting in Vienna on Friday. The PS said in a press release today that they could not attend the event "due to the new circumstances in the PS...and in Slovenian politics".

The STA learn unofficially that ALDE, which reportedly still supports Bratušek, was waiting to see what will happen with the party.

PS had formally requested to become a member of ALDE under the leadership of Bratušek, who left the party on Tuesday.

However, the new president has said on several occasions that he would like to join the Party of European Socialists (PES).