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Slovenia Vote Deadlocked as Golob, Jansa Tied With Most Votes Counted

Allegations of covert interference under investigation cast a shadow over the campaign.

Slovenia's Prime Minister Robert Golob talks to the media at a joint statement in Ljubljana at the finish of the election campaign in Ljubljana, Slovenia, March 20, 2026. REUTERS/Borut Zivulovic/File Photo
President of the Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS), Janez Jansa, presents the party's candidates and announces the election programme at a party congress ahead of national elections, in Ljubljana, Slovenia, February 21, 2026. REUTERS/Borut Zivulovic/File Photo
President of the Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS), Janez Jansa, presents the party's candidates and announces the election programme at a party congress ahead of national elections, in Ljubljana, Slovenia, February 21, 2026. REUTERS/Borut Zivulovic/File Photo
A return for veteran Slovenian politician Janez Jansa, an admirer of US President Donald Trump, could see the country take an illiberal turn

Overview

  • With more than 90% of ballots tallied, Robert Golob’s Freedom Movement and Janez Jansa’s Slovenian Democratic Party each hold about 28%, leaving no clear path to a majority.
  • An anti-establishment group and a conservative party formed by a former Jansa ally also entered parliament, further fragmenting the chamber and complicating coalition arithmetic.
  • Both sides signaled that coalition negotiations will determine who governs, with Jansa saying he will await final results after an early exit poll showed Golob narrowly ahead.
  • State authorities are probing secretly recorded videos alleging graft for possible links to Israeli firm Black Cube, and Golob has asked the European Commission to investigate foreign interference.
  • Jansa acknowledged meeting a Black Cube adviser and denied wrongdoing, while campaigning on business tax breaks and cuts to NGO, welfare, and media funding; Golob highlighted liberal reforms and Slovenia’s recognition of Palestine with an arms embargo on Israel.