Slovenians vote in early election with rightwinger in front

Slovenians voted today in an early election which was set to see Janez Jansa's anti-immigration party emerge as victor after four years of centre-left rule.

The last poll published by the Dnevnik newspaper had Jansa's Slovenian Democrats (SDS) on just over 25 percent, well clear of its nearest rivals the Social Democrats, who were on 12 percent.

Early turnout was slightly up on four years ago at 17.3 percent from 15.4 percent just after 0900 GMT and an apathetic showing was expected to bolster Jansa's chances.

However, with more than 40 percent of those surveyed saying they either had not decided or would not reveal their preference, all bets were off in the eurozone country of two million.

Jansa's combative personality, strident anti-immigration rhetoric and alliance with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban dominated the closing stages of the campaign. In the final TV debate on Thursday, Jansa effectively traded barbs with comedian-turned-politician Marjan Sarec.

Sarec's "anti-system" LMS party is on 11.9 percent in Dnevnik's poll, a weaker showing than earlier in the campaign but one which could yet leave him well placed to play kingmaker if borne out.

The SMC party of outgoing Prime Minister Miro Cerar -- whose shock resignation in March prompted Sunday's poll -- was on just 9.3 percent.

Cerar threw in the towel after months of public-sector strikes and internal wrangling within his coalition, with the last straw coming when a supreme court verdict on a flagship infrastructure project went against the government. Some 1.7 million Slovenians are eligible to vote for 90 members of parliament. Polling stations were to close at 7pm (1700 GMT), with the first results expected on Sunday evening.

Even if Jansa's SDS party comes out ahead, he may still find it difficult to put together a majority in parliament.

The parties in the outgoing coalition -- the Social Democrats, the SMC and the pensioners' party DESUS -- have all ruled out collaborating with the SDS.

Sarec also recently told AFP that "spreading fear (of migrants) and getting the prime minister of a neighbouring country (Orban) involved in our elections has crossed all red lines and I and our members do not see ourselves in such a constellation".

Last month Orban said an SDS victory "would ensure the survival of the Slovenian people".

According to Slovenian media reports, Jansa's media campaign has also been boosted by investments totalling some two million euros ($2.3 million) from Hungarian media companies in a TV station and newspaper co-owned by SDS.

Sarec and other opponents say this may be a violation of campaign finance laws but SDS insist the investments are above board.