Newsletters
Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob said Monday he had failed to form a governing coalition following last month’s parliamentary elections, in which his party secured a slim plurality.
The announcement opens the door for runner-up Janez Jansa, a conservative leader and admirer of United States President Donald Trump, to potentially attempt to form a coalition in the European Union member state of about 2 million people.
“We are looking forward to our work in the opposition,” Golob, 59, told reporters after meeting President Natasa Pirc Musar, adding he had failed to secure support from center-right parties.
Golob’s liberal bloc won 29 seats in the 90-member parliament, while Jansa’s Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS) secured 28 seats.
Jansa, 67, has publicly rejected coalition talks and reiterated Monday that he is not rushing to form a government.
“The SDS is not forming any government at the moment,” he said.
“This week we will concentrate on the constitution of the parliament, since that is on the agenda,” he added, noting that his party is “ready for new elections tomorrow” if necessary.
Earlier this month, parliament’s inaugural session elected a lawmaker from an anti-establishment party as speaker with the backing of Jansa’s conservatives and an ally.
Under Slovenia’s constitutional process, President Pirc Musar must nominate a prime minister-designate within 30 days of parliament’s inaugural session on April 10.
If the nominee fails to secure a majority, parties are given a further 10 days to propose an alternative candidate.
The outcome leaves Slovenia facing continued political uncertainty following closely contested elections.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
2 min read
1 min read
