Slovenia To Hold Presidential Runoff

The small European state of Slovenia will hold a presidential runoff after a first round of voting on November 11 failed to produce a clear winner.

Social Democratic leader and former Prime Minister Borut Pahor was the top vote-getter, but his 40 percent was short of the more than 50 percent needed to be declared the outright winner.

Pahor will face incumbent Danilo Turk, who won 35 percent of the vote, in the runoff on December 2.

Voter turnout was 47 percent, a record low.

Analysts put the low turnout down to general disillusionment with deep spending cuts due to the country's economic slowdown.

The president in Slovenia holds little power.
Based on reporting by dpa and AFP