Exit poll: Ex-PM Pahor wins Slovenia presidency

LJUBLJANA, Slovenia (AP) ? Former Slovenia Prime Minister Borut Pahor, who has called for unity in the tiny EU nation amid growing discontent with government tax hikes and spending cuts, won the presidential election Sunday, according to an exit poll.

Pahor won 67.3 percent of the vote compared to 32.9 for his rival, incumbent Danilo Turk, according to the Mediana polling agency, whose results were broadcast on Slovenian state television.

Official results are expected later in the evening.

Sunday's vote came just days after anti-austerity protests in Ljubljana, the capital, erupted into clashes that left 15 people injured, triggering fears this normally placid Alpine nation of 2 million was heading into instability.

Slovenia, once an economic star among EU newcomers when it joined in 2004, has faced one of the worst recessions of the 17 nations that use the euro currency. Its economy has shrunk more than 8 percent since 2009 and continues to decline, resulting in a sharp drop in exports and living standards and a surge in unemployment, which now stands at about 12 percent.

Although the presidency is mostly a ceremonial post, the elected leader will play an important role as the country faces painful economic reforms.

Slovenia now needs "trust, respect and tolerance," the 49-year-old left-leaning Pahor said. "There is no problem that cannot be solved if we act together."

Turk congratulated his opponent and pledged to "remain an active citizen, loyal to the Slovenian state."

Prime Minister Janez Jansa's center-right government has launched pension and labor reforms, made public sector cuts and moved to recapitalize the nation's banks, which are at the center of the financial crisis because they are burdened by bad loans. The cuts and reforms are designed so Slovenia won't have to ask for EU bailout help.

Although he is Jansa's political opponent, Pahor has backed some of the government reforms, unlike Turk who has been a fierce critic.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/exit-poll-ex-pm-pahor-wins-slovenia-presidency-183104888.html

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