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The Commission for the Prevention of Corruption confirmed for the STA on Tuesday having launched the probe at its own initiative on suspicion that by proposing herself Bratušek might have violated the integrity and corruption prevention act.

Under the law, public official needs to be mindful of any factual or potential conflict of interest and must do everything in his or her power to avoid it. The official should also not use its position or job to enforce his or her own or anybody else's unauthorised private interest.

The watchdog is currently waiting for documents it has asked the government to provide to serve as the basis for further investigation. The commission could not say when the probe will be completed as it will depend on its scope.

Bratušek has taken a lot of flak for including herself on the list of candidates submitted to European Commission President-elect Jean-Claude Juncker for him to pick Slovenia's member of his team from. The list also includes outgoing Foreign Minister Karl Erjavec and SocDem MEP Tanja Fajon.