LJUBLJANA, Slovenia — Slovenia’s legislative body endorsed a new conservative administration Thursday, installing Prime Minister Janez Jansa in what represents a political shift toward the right for the small European Union nation.
Members of parliament supported the new administration by a margin of 49-30 in the 90-seat legislative chamber.
Thursday’s decision followed March parliamentary elections that failed to produce a decisive outcome. Though former liberal Prime Minister Robert Golob’s Freedom Movement secured the most ballots, he could not secure enough legislative support to form a majority.
The 67-year-old Jansa, who received his appointment as prime minister last month, joined forces with his populist Slovenian Democratic Party and other conservative parliamentary factions to create a coalition administration. The new government also receives support from the nonestablishment Truth party, which originally formed as an anti-vaccination movement during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This represents Jansa’s fourth stint in the top office. The seasoned politician has expressed admiration for U.S. President Donald Trump and maintained close ties with former populist Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who suffered a decisive electoral defeat in April.
Similar to Orban, Jansa took a firm anti-immigration stance during Europe’s major migration crisis in 2015, and has faced criticism for restricting democratic institutions and media freedoms during his previous 2020-2022 tenure. These actions sparked public demonstrations and drew European Union oversight.
Jansa committed that his new administration would serve “for all of Slovenia and for all generations.” During Thursday’s proceedings, he described his 15-member Cabinet as having “rich experience.”
Jansa promised to reduce taxation levels and criticized Slovenia for having “an incredibly overblown bureaucracy” when compared to other European nations. He expressed intentions to invite opposition parties to collaborate on important future matters.
The new Cabinet features Tone Kajzer, Slovenia’s former ambassador to the U.S., who received appointment as foreign minister, while Franci Matoz — Jansa’s previous attorney — was named interior minister, generating some public backlash.
Jansa, who supports Israel, has strongly criticized the Golob administration’s 2024 decision to recognize a Palestinian state. The incoming government is anticipated to repair Slovenia’s currently strained relationship with Israel.
The March 22 electoral contest faced claims of outside interference and corruption. The approximately 2 million residents of the Alpine country remain sharply split between liberal and conservative viewpoints.
