STA, 14 April, 2-18 – Pahor said he was restricted by law to picking among 27 May, 3 June and 10 June and chose the final date following informal and formal consultations with parties and constitutional experts.
He said he abandoned 10 June because it would have been the same date as the regular election, while 27 May would put the start of the campaign in the May Day holidays, which could open the decision to challenges at the Constitutional Court.
"In the face of already increased political uncertainty, it is correct that the president make his decision bearing in mind that no additional doubts are raised," he said about potential constitutional challenges.
Pahor expressed the hope that the campaign will be conducted "in a tolerant atmosphere without hate speech and underpinned by arguments."
"I wish the result be as clear as possible" and make it possible to facilitate the formation of a new government, he said.
Pahor does not plan to intervene in the campaign because he says his office should be neutral by default given that the president plays a role in the forming of governments.
He will only speak up when he will deem it "unavoidable because of Slovenia's interests", but he will remain neutral.
The president also believes that the government and the National Assembly can perform their tasks without his interventions despite limited powers.
"I would only allow myself to call deputy faction heads for talks in the event of a serious security situation that would require strategic measures," he added.
Parties can start putting forward their candidates on Monday. They will have time to submit their candidates until 3 May, when the official campaign starts.
Two seats in the 90-strong legislature are reserved for the Italian and Hungarian minorities, while the rest of the MPs will be elected in 88 districts.
