Since 1991 the function of the President of the Republic of Slovenia in concentrated in one person. Who can nominate a presidential candidate? In Slovenia Members of Parliament, political parties and voters can nominate their candidates. Members of Parliament: at least 10 MP's can nominate a presidential candidate. Political parties: political parties can nominate their presidential candidate and their nomination must be supported by at least three signatures of MP's or signatures of at least 3000 voters. Voters: voters can nominate their presidential candidate if the nomination is supported by at least 5000 signatures of voters. Currently this is the most favourable method of nomination. The fundamental rule regarding presidential nominations stipulates that every individual can give its support (signature) to only one presidential candidate. At the same time presidential candidate can not run for a Member of Parliament or a Member of National Council.
The President is elected on the basis of universal and equal suffrage on free and direct elections. Universal and equal suffrage means that all citizens of the Republic of Slovenia that are on the polling day 18 years old or older and their business capability have not been taken away have the right to vote and be elected for the President of State. The presidential candidate is elected if he receives the majority of valid votes. If in the first round no candidate gets the majority of votes, then the second round is held. In the second round the citizens choose between those two candidates that received the most votes in the first round. The candidate that receives the majority of valid votes gets elected for President of State. The second round of elections must be held no later than 21 days after the first round. The elections for the President of State are announced by the President of National Assembly. He must announce the elections 105 days (the earliest) and 75 days (the latest) before the end of term of current President of State. New President of State must be elected no later than 15 days before the end of term of previous president.
The term of the President of the State is five years and the president can be re-elected to the office only once. If his term ends during the war or state of emergency he is obliged to leave his office six months after the cease of war or state of emergency. The presidential term can be shortened in case of death, resign or other cease of presidential function. In these cases the President of National Assembly acts also as the President of State until new President is elected.
The Constitution of the Republic of Slovenia stipulates in its 102 Article that the President represents Republic of Slovenia and is a supreme commander of Slovenian Armed Forces. The President appoints and recalls ambassadors and accepts letters of credence of foreign diplomatic representatives accredited in Slovenia. As supreme commander of Armed Forces the President has the right to promote generals and admirals to higher rank on the proposal of Defence Minister and with consent of the Government. The President has the right to be informed about combat readiness of the Army and other matters important for the defence of the State.