Janez Janša elected Slovenia's prime minister, outlines coalition program

The Slovenian Parliament held a secret vote on Friday, electing SDS leader Janez Janša as prime minister with 51 votes in favour and 36 against. Janša secured a mandate to form his fourth cabinet and must present ministerial candidates within 15 days.

He will lead a coalition comprising the New Slovenia (NSi), Slovene People's Party (SLS), Focus and the Democrats, with additional support from the Resnica party and representatives of national minorities. The government programme focuses on completing democratic reforms, promoting economic development, combating corruption and organized crime, and pursuing decentralisation and debureaucratisation. Janša also pledged cooperation with the opposition on constitutional amendments and a three‑decade development plan.

The appointment sparked strong reactions. Croatia’s prime minister Andrej Plenković congratulated Janša, while left‑wing MPs criticised the vote and accused the new government of authoritarian tendencies. Opposition leader Robert Golob alleged foreign interference, claiming Israeli agents were involved in the election and labeling the results illegitimate. The controversy adds tension to the early days of Janša’s new administration.