Slovenian candidates announce mayoral bids for Hoče-Slivnica and Ljubljana

Several candidates have announced their bids for local mayoral offices in Slovenia.

In Hoče-Slivnica, Simon Štrancar has officially declared his candidacy for the 2026 local elections. He is running as a joint candidate supported by five parties: Democrats, Nova Slovenija (NSi), Slovenska demokratska stranka (SDS), Slovenska ljudska stranka (SLS), and Stranka Vesna. Štrancar is challenging the long-term incumbent, Marko Šoršak, who has led the municipality since 2014. Štrancar’s platform focuses on addressing infrastructure issues, such as traffic congestion and water supply, noting that the municipality has transitioned into a worker-oriented residential area that lacks a central community core.

In Ljubljana, Apolonija Simon, representing the Vesna party and civil society, has announced her candidacy for mayor. An academic painter and director of a vocational school, Simon advocates for a more inclusive and transparent municipal government. Her platform emphasizes urban planning, public health, and quality of life, specifically criticizing current decisions regarding the C0 sewage canal and the planned waste incinerator. She asserts that municipal management should prioritize the well-being of residents over profit-driven economic interests.