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Slovenia votes for new president Tuerk leads in Slovenia elections
(about 3 hours later)
Slovenians have voted in a presidential election to choose one of two independent candidates. Leftist former diplomat Danilo Tuerk is set to become Slovenia's new president, as initial results suggested he had a huge lead over his centre-right rival.
Exit polls suggest that the leftist former diplomat Danilo Tuerk won the election with almost 70% of the vote. Former prime minister Lojze Peterle conceded after exit polls showed Mr Tuerk getting almost 70% of the vote.
Ex-PM and foreign minister, Lojze Peterle - who helped lead Slovenia to independence from Yugoslavia - was well behind with about 30%. Mr Peterle - who helped lead Slovenia to independence from Yugoslavia - was well behind despite topping a first-round vote last month.
Mr Peterle, who is backed by the governing centre-right coalition, had topped a first-round vote last month. Mr Tuerk, 55, was backed by the main left-wing opposition parties.
But the 59-year-old did not secure enough support to win outright, and then fell behind in the polls. Mr Peterle had the support of the governing centre-right coalition.
Mr Tuerk, 55, is backed by the main left-wing parties. But the 59-year-old did not secure enough support to win outright in October, and has since fallen behind in the polls.
A long-time diplomat, he has gained a clear lead over his rival since he gathered support from backers of a leftist candidate who lost last month. Mr Peterle conceded almost immediately. "I expected a better result," he said.
The winner will replace President Janez Drnovsek, who has decided not to seek a second five-year term. "I sincerely congratulate Danilo Turk on his victory. I wish him good luck in leading the country in the challenging times ahead of us."
Neither candidate is expected to change the alliances of the ex-communist state of two million people with Europe and Washington. Analysts say his defeat will come as a new blow for the administration after its poor performance in local elections last year.
Polls opened at 0700 local time (0600 GMT) and close at 1900 (1800 GMT). Mr Tuerk is a long-time diplomat who gained a clear lead over his rival since he gathered support from backers of a leftist candidate who lost last month.
He said he was "very pleased with the results that are being forecast", although he pointed out they were not final.
"I believe the situation here is such that many citizens want something new, that wish is very strong and the campaign has been proving that wish all along," he added.
Mr Tuerk looks set to follow two other centre-left presidents - Milan Kucan, who served two terms from 1992 to 2002, and outgoing President Janez Drnovsek, who decided not to seek a second five-year term.
Mr Tuerk is not expected to change the alliances of the ex-communist state of two million people with Europe and Washington.
The role of president is largely ceremonial, but carries authority in defence and foreign affairs.The role of president is largely ceremonial, but carries authority in defence and foreign affairs.
The new president will be sworn in shortly before Slovenia assumes the EU presidency on 1 January.