Pahor will have 30 days after the parliament holds its maiden session - expectedly on 1 August - to nominate a prime minister-designate.

The nominee is usually the leader of the party that wins the election.

Pahor, who was on a visit to Croatia on the election day, congratulated Cerar on Sunday evening over the phone.

Commenting on the elections for commercial broadcaster POP TV on Monday, he said the victory of the Miro Cerar Party (SMC) was very convincing.

He also underscored that the election was legitimate and that the winners and losers must come to terms with the election result.

Pahor was responding to the claims by the Democrats (SDS) that the election was illegitimate because their party president is in jail for corruption.

The president also called on politicians to create an atmosphere of cooperation and step together to work to the benefit of the people.