Five women in presidential elections against Borut Pahor

The deadline for submitting candidacies for the presidential elections in Slovenia, to be held on October 22, expired at midnight between Wednesday and Thursday, and the state election commission will confirm the candidate lists today, writes Patria News Agency.

Eight candidates applied for the elections, and for the first time, there are more women than men among the candidates. Five women will compete on October 22 against the current president Borut Pahor and two other men.

The absolute favorite is the social democrat Borut Pahor, and according to all relevant polls in Slovenia, the only question is whether he will win in the first round or if he will need a second round to do so.

When it comes to political party leaders, only the president of the opposition New Slovenia, Ljudmila Novak, submitted a presidential candidacy.

Janez Janša's SDS (Slovenian Democratic Party) nominated European Parliament representative Romana Tomc, while the party of the current Prime Minister Miro Cerar, SMC (Party of Modern Centre), nominated Minister of Education Maja Makovec Benčič.

Retired teacher Angelca Likovič, supported by the conservative party Voice for Children and Families, also submitted her candidacy, while SLS (Slovenian People's Party) candidate Suzana Lara Kraus submitted her candidacy at the last moment.

Besides Pahor, the male candidates are the mayors of Koper, Boris Popovič, and Kamnik, Marjan Šarec. According to polls, Popovič has the most serious chance of reaching the second round against Pahor.

Political analysts in Slovenia believe that the number of women among the candidates will be very important for the election results, as it was women who brought victory to Borut Pahor in the previous term. If he manages to ensure that women's votes are not scattered among other female candidates, Pahor could celebrate a sure victory in the first round of the elections.