Janez Janša Forms New Slovenian Government, Removes Palestinian Flag

Slovenian parliament voted 49‑30 to approve a new coalition government led by former prime minister Janez Janša, marking his fourth term in office. The centre‑right coalition comprises the Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS), New Slovenia, the Democratic Party, Focus, the Resnica movement and representatives of the Italian and Hungarian minorities. Janša’s cabinet includes seven SDS ministers – notably Tone Kajzer as foreign minister and Franci Matoz as interior minister – and additional ministers from the partner parties covering finance, education, health, defence, infrastructure, environment and cultural affairs.

Within hours of taking office the new administration removed the Palestinian flag from the government building, a symbolic act criticised by outgoing prime minister Robert Golob, who said it “speaks louder than a thousand words.” Golob argued the flag had represented support for justice and human dignity. In response, Israel announced it will open its first embassy in Ljubljana, signalling a shift in Slovenia’s foreign policy under Janša.

Janša told parliament the government would be “systematic and boring” and warned that a loss of power could be “traumatic” for some, referencing the previous left‑liberal administration. He pledged a government for “all of Slovenia and for all generations.”