Slovenia set for a right-wing government and a comeback for former Prime Minister Jansa

Advertisement

Advertise with us

LJUBLJANA, Slovenia (AP) — Right-wing politician Janez Jansa is set to become Slovenia's prime minister again after his candidacy was submitted to Parliament on Tuesday, paving the way for the formation of a new government almost two months after a parliamentary election.

Read this article for free:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Digital Subscription

One year of digital access for only $1.44 a week*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles

*Billed as $5.77 plus GST every four weeks. After 52 weeks, price increases to the regular rate of $19.95 plus GST every four weeks. Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Add Free Press access to your Brandon Sun subscription for only an additional

$1 for the first 4 weeks*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles
Start now

*Your next Brandon Sun subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $17.95 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.95 plus GST every four weeks.

LJUBLJANA, Slovenia (AP) — Right-wing politician Janez Jansa is set to become Slovenia’s prime minister again after his candidacy was submitted to Parliament on Tuesday, paving the way for the formation of a new government almost two months after a parliamentary election.

Jansa, who has served three previous terms as prime minister, was formally nominated by lawmakers from his Slovenian Democratic Party. He is expected to lead a coalition government that will also include other right-leaning groups and will be backed by an anti-establishment newcomer party.

The date for the new government’s formal approval in Parliament was not immediately set. Slovenia’s public broadcaster RTV Slovenia reported that Jansa has the backing of 48 lawmakers in the 90-member assembly.

FILE - Former Prime Minister of Slovenia Janez Jansa addresses the media at his election headquarters in Ljubljana, Slovenia, March 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Denes Erdos, file)
FILE - Former Prime Minister of Slovenia Janez Jansa addresses the media at his election headquarters in Ljubljana, Slovenia, March 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Denes Erdos, file)

If confirmed, the election of Jansa will mark a turn to the right for the European Union country that was previously run by a liberal government.

The veteran politician, Jansa, 67, is an admirer of U.S. President Donald Trump and was a close ally of former populist Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who was defeated in a landslide election last month.

Jansa most recently served as prime minister from 2020 to 2022, when he lost an election to the liberal Freedom Movement of outgoing Prime Minister Robert Golob.

Jansa has been a stern critic of Golob’s government, including Slovenia’s 2024 recognition of a Palestinian state.

The Freedom Movement and Jansa’s SDS were practically tied after the April 22 parliamentary election. But Golob failed to form a new liberal coalition, setting the stage for Jansa’s comeback.

The vote on March 22 was marred by allegations of foreign influence and corruption. The 1.7 million voters in the Alpine nation are deeply divided between liberals and conservatives.

Report Error Submit a Tip

World

LOAD WORLD ARTICLES