Slovenia's prime minister Drnovsek likely to win presidency

LJUBLJANA, Slovenia -- There can be no mistaking that this former Yugoslav republic sees itself as part of the West.

Modern multilane highways that look like German autobahns link the capital, Ljubljana, to Italy and Austria, while those heading eastward to Croatia turn become narrow, bumpy two-lane roads.

As Slovenians choose a president on Today, they are expected to reward the man widely credited with moving the country so quickly toward the West -- Prime Minister Janez Drnovsek.

Drnovsek, who has led the country since 1992 except for six months in 2000, is the clear favorite to succeed the outgoing president, Milan Kucan -- himself a popular statesmen who is barred by the constitution from seeking a third term.

If Drnovsek, the leader of the Liberal Democrats, wins today, he will become the second president of this tiny Alpine country of 2 million, which won its independence from Yugoslavia in 1991.

Although eight other candidates are on the ballot for the largely ceremonial post, all polls predict that Drnovsek will easily defeat his rivals.

Some polls have even indicated that the 52-year-old -- who has been in fragile health since undergoing surgery to have a cancerous kidney removed three years ago -- could muster more than 50 percent of the ballot in the first round and avoid a run-off.

Drnovsek's main challenger is Barbara Brezigar, a 49-year-old state prosecutor who has built a reputation for fighting organized crime and corruption.

The independent Center for Public Opinion predicts that Drnovsek will take 39 percent of the vote, and Brezigar 19 percent. A solid turnout of 70 percent of the country's 1.6 million eligible voters is expected.

In a possible run-off vote, which would take place three weeks later, Drnovsek would take 54 percent, and Brezigar 34 percent, the poll showed.

It was conducted last week and shows the other candidates lagging far behind. They include a former director of the central bank, France Arhar; a former parliamentary speaker, France Bucar; university lecturers Lev Kreft and Anton Bleber; a right-winger, Zmago Jelincic; an artist, Gorazd Drevensek and a scientist, Jure Cekuta.

An economist by training and a former bank adviser, Drnovsek endeared himself to voters by pragmatically steering the country away from the bloodstained intrigues of the Balkans and into the European mainstream.

Under his leadership, Slovenia has moved swiftly toward membership in Western organizations -- successes which he referred to often in the campaign.

"When I started off in politics my vision was clear -- the European Union and NATO. Now we are only a step away," he said recently.

The country is expected to receive an invitation to join NATO at a summit in the Czech capital later this month and is set to join the EU in 2004.

Slovenia is one of the continent's most promising economies, with low inflation and unemployment and steady annual growth at around 4 percent. It is also one of Europe's safest countries.

Despite Drnovsek's strong popularity, he isn't lacking in critics. Some of his rivals have accused him of acting against the country's long-term interests by selling profitable state companies in his zeal to move toward a fully fledged market economy.

But on Today, he can safely rely on his popularity with the country's 1.6 million eligible voters, known for their long-term loyalty to trusted leaders.