Slovenians vote for president to lead them into EU, NATO.

(From Agence France Presse)

Slovenians voted in a run-off election to choose a president who will lead the former communist country into both NATO and the European Union, with Prime Minister Janez Drnovsek the overwhelming favorite.

The centre-left Drnovsek, 52, who has pursued a policy of opening to the West in 10 years as head of government, is favored in the race against centre-right public prosecutor and former justice minister Barbara Brezigar, 49, due to his long experience and Slovenia's prosperity.

Drnovsek is credited with successfully shepherding the small Alpine nation's emergence as one of central Europe's most prosperous countries and a leader among the 10 countries expected to join the EU, and the seven due to join NATO, in 2004.

The election marks the end of an era as President Milan Kucan, 61, the man who led the former Yugoslav republic to independence in 1991, is stepping down after two five-year terms.

By 1000 GMT Sunday, 22.5 percent of Slovenia's 1.6 million voters had cast their ballots, a slightly lower turnout than in the first round, and with few security measures evident in a country that prides itself on being one of the safest in Europe.

Drnovsek, who like Kucan strolled without bodyguards down the street and into the voting center in the posh, suburban Murglje district, said he would resign as president of his Liberal Democracy Party (LDP) if he won.