Right-wing populist politician Janez Janša is on the verge of becoming Slovenia’s prime minister again after submitting his candidacy to Parliament on Tuesday. This development paves the way for the formation of a new government nearly two months after the parliamentary election.
Janša, who has previously served three terms as prime minister, received a formal nomination from lawmakers of his party, the Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS). He is anticipated to lead a coalition government that will incorporate other right-leaning factions, supported by an emerging anti-establishment party. The timeline for the formal approval of the new government in Parliament remains to be determined.
As reported by Slovenia’s public broadcaster RTV Slovenia, Janša has garnered the support of 48 lawmakers in the 90-member assembly. If confirmed, his election would signify a political shift to the right in the European Union member state, which a liberal administration has governed.
Janša, aged 67, is known for his admiration of US President Donald Trump and has previously allied with former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who recently experienced a significant election defeat.
Janša’s most recent term as prime minister lasted from 2020 to 2022, when he lost the election to the liberal Freedom Movement, led by outgoing Prime Minister Robert Golob. He has been a strong critic of Golob’s government, particularly regarding Slovenia’s recognition of a Palestinian state in 2024.
The 22 April parliamentary election saw the Freedom Movement and Janša’s SDS nearly tied. However, Golob’s inability to form a new liberal coalition has created the circumstances for Janša’s potential return to power.
Allegations of foreign influence and corruption accompanied the election. Slovenia’s electorate of approximately 1.7 million remains deeply divided along liberal and conservative lines.
Although a Janša government could create severe problems for European Union policies, today the conservative President of the European People’s Party (EPP), Manfred Weber, expressed support in Strasbourg for Janša as the next Slovenian Prime Minister and wished him “good luck.”
This article used information from The Associated Press.
