January 20 (SeeNews) - Slovenian defence minister Karl Erjavec said he will resign after being voted out as president of the Democratic Party of Pensioners of Slovenia (DeSUS) over the weekend.
Erjavec told a news conference on Saturday he is stepping down as minister since he was appointed to the post because of his position as DeSUS party leader. A video file with parts of his speach was uploaded on state broadcaster RTV SLO's website.
In the January 18 DeSUS intraparty elections, Erjavec, who has headed the party for 15 years, won only 80 votes against 145 votes for agriculture minister Aleksandra Pivec.
Local media have reported that prime minister Marjan Sarec and Pivec will discuss Erjavec's resignation and the appointment of his successor later this week.
Erjavec assumed office as defence minister and deputy prime minister in September 2018 when Slovenia's current coalition government led by Sarec was voted in office.