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Slovenia is voting in an election pitting the governing conservatives and the social-democratic rivals.
Slovenia, the richest of the former Yugoslav states, was also the first east European state to adopt the Euro.
Prime Minister Janez Jansa and his conservative Slovene Democratic Party are claiming credit for the country's increased prosperity.
But unemployment, at 6%, is the highest among the 15 countries which use the Euro currency.
And inflation, also running at 6%, is another unwelcome Eurozone high.
The conservative-led government has also frequently been accused of corruption.
The main challengers are Borut Pahor's Social Democrats, who offer a stronger welfare state, partly funded by cuts in military spending.
Slovenia is a member of Nato, and nearly half her armed forces are deployed on peace-keeping missions abroad.
The outcome of the election may be determined by the performance of smaller parties which will be needed as coalition allies in the 90 seat Parliament, the BBC's Nick Thorpe reports.
Polls open at 0500GMT and close at 1700GMT.
(BBC)
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