Bratušek, who was still a prime minister at the moment, wished to send a name of the candidate by herself, which was strongly opposed by the leader of SMC Miro Cerar.

[6] The government placed his proposal on the list of candidates along with the Prime Minister Alenka Bratušek (ZaAB), Karl Erjavec (DeSUS-ALDE) and Tanja Fajon (SD-PES).

[7] The self nomination of Alenka Bratušek caused even bigger storm in Slovenian political atmosphere, as many saw her move as an act of private interest.

[9] Miro Cerar was displeased with the expulsion of Janez Potočnik from the race for the European commissioner, and announced his reaction as soon as he will be named and confirmed as a Prime Minister-designate on 25 August 2014.

Cerar, as the newly named Prime Minister-designate, declared his first action will be a letter to Juncker in which he shall consult the candidate for the new leader of European Commission.

In the background a big lobbying battle took place, as Tanja Fajon, strongly supported by PES, has been invited to formal conversation with Juncker.

[10] Janez Potočnik returned to the race, after SMC refused co-operation with ZaAB in the new coalition, but was soon backed out by the original trio of candidates (Bratušek, Erjavec and Fajon).