Janez Janša secures coalition, set for fourth term as Slovenia PM

Slovenian prime‑ministerial hopeful Janez Janša, leader of the right‑wing Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS), has secured a governing coalition that commands 50 of the 90 seats in parliament. The pact brings together centre‑right parties – New Slovenia (NSi), the Slovenian People’s Party (SLS), Focus and the Democrats – with formal backing from the anti‑system Resnica party, which will support the government without taking cabinet posts.

The coalition has submitted Janša’s candidacy for prime minister and is expected to be confirmed by a secret parliamentary vote. Its program includes tax relief for businesses, a new anti‑corruption prosecution unit (SKOK), reinstating a highway police force, abolishing the state defence firm Dovos, and reforms to sick‑leave payments, social‑benefit work requirements and free banking services. Other measures target migration (restricting asylum for nationals of “safe” countries), mandatory annual drug testing for officials, decentralisation of public services and broader de‑bureaucratisation.

If confirmed, Janša would begin his fourth term, having previously served as prime minister from 2004‑2008, 2012‑2013 and 2020‑2022. His return follows a tightly contested March election that left the parliament deadlocked, and raises concerns in the EU about Slovenia’s shift toward illiberal policies, given Janša’s past clashes with Brussels over media freedom and rule‑of‑law issues.