Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša Forms New Coalition, Reorients Policy Toward Israel

Prime Minister Janez Janša secured his fourth government by forming a coalition with New Slovenia (NSi), the Slovenian People's Party (SLS), the Focus party, and the Democratic Party of Anžet Logar, with external support from the Resnica parliamentary group. The new cabinet, sworn in on 4 June, appointed 15 ministers and reshuffled senior posts including the police chief, the intelligence agency (SOVA), the financial administration and the information‑security authority. A new law reassigned ministry responsibilities, adding labour to the economy ministry, expanding the interior ministry to cover public administration and digital transformation, and moving energy under infrastructure.

The coalition promptly reversed the previous government's pro‑Palestinian stance, reinstating diplomatic and commercial ties with Israel: the airline Israir was permitted to fly to Slovenia again, the Palestinian flag was removed from the government building, and Janša said he would consider moving Slovenia’s embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. At the same time, European Parliament MEP Branko Grims, a senior member of the Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS), faced expulsion from the European People’s Party (EPP) for his close alignment with Israel and right‑wing groups, while the SDS leadership remained silent on the matter. The developments highlight a sharp shift in Slovenia’s foreign policy and internal party dynamics.