In Slovenia, Borut Pahor has been re-elected president in a tight run-off against ex-comedian Marjan Sarec. Aljosa Milenkovic has more for us now from Ljubljana.

 

The preliminary results of the presidential runoff election was greeted with joy in Borut Pahor's campaign headquarters. But the celebrations were a bit muted, since the results were not as strong as expected. In his victory speech, president-elect Borut Pahor admitted that he learned a lot during the campaign and promised to adapt in accordance with people's demands.

 

BORUT PAHOR SLOVENIAN PRESIDENT "This result in Slovenia is something rare for Europe, where people have trusted to those who already had the mandate. It happened in Netherlands and Germany, but in a number of other cases people usually opted for change. That's something very important for our position in the world. Thank you for your support. I understand it as a big responsibility. I will justify your expectations."

 

Considering that presidential role in Slovenia is mostly a ceremonial one, critics are saying that there is not too much that president can actually do. Pahor's presidential competitor was a 39 –year- old former stand-up comedian from Kamnik, who decided to go into politics.

 

ALJOSA MILENKOVIC KAMNIK, SLOVENIA "I've arrived in Kamnik, a small town in central Slovenia. Its mayor, Marjan Sarec, ran for president against the Instagram King, as local media call the incumbent Borut Pahor. Odds were not in Sarec's favor, but Kamnik citizens strongly supported him."

 

Sarec was considered as underdog, but in the end, the election results were closer than anticipated.

 

MARJAN SAREC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE "I want to be decisive president. I want to be active on the main social issues. I don't want to be someone, who just stays behind and look at the problems and do nothing just because I don't want a conflict. My goal is to create the feeling here in Slovenia that politicians take care of its citizens."

 

On Sunday, many residents gathered in the local church and went directly to the polls. The majority voted for their mayor.

 

TINA MUC KAMNIK CITIZEN "Since he has become the mayor, the city is revived. He took care for young citizens. I think he took care of Kamnik."

 

For the next five years, Slovenia will have the same President and mayor of Kamnik. For some, it will be business as usual until the next election cycle. Aljosa Milenkovic, CGTN, Ljubljana.