The people of Slovenia are voting in a presidential election with the incumbent Borut Pahor aiming for a second five-year term.<br /><br />Opinion polls suggest he will win most votes; the question is whether he can gain the 50 percent required to avoid a second round.<br /><br />Among several challengers, his most likely rival in a run-off is the centre-left mayor of Kamnik.<br /><br />The post is largely ceremonial although the president does have some clout, being head of the armed forces and with the power to make key appointments.<br /><br />The vote is seen as a guide to potential support for parties at a general election due next year.<br /><br />Slovenia’s economy is currently growing faster than the eurozone average – wages are rising although youth unemployment remains high.<br /><br />Pahor is running as an independent and says his main task is to bring people together.<br /><br />He used to lead the centre-left Social Democrats and was prime minister for four years from 2008. After the financial crisis he managed to avoid an international bailout. <br /><br />A former fashion model, his campaign included 25 days walking hundreds of kilometres around the country.<br />
