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Slovenian Parliament Appoints Janez Janša as Prime Minister

A narrow right-leaning majority must win a cabinet confirmation vote within 15 days to prove the new government's durability.

Janez Jansa arrives for a session of the Slovenian Parliament in Ljubljana, Slovenia, Friday, May 22, 2026, before appointing him as prime minister, ending a political deadlock after tight elections in March. (AP Photo/Igor Kupljenik)
Janez Jansa, center, addresses the Slovenian Parliament during a session in Ljubljana, Slovenia, Friday, May 22, 2026, before appointing him as prime minister, ending a political deadlock after tight elections in March. (AP Photo/Igor Kupljenik)
Janez Jansa addresses the Slovenian Parliament during a session in Ljubljana, Slovenia, Friday, May 22, 2026, before appointing him as prime minister, ending a political deadlock after tight elections in March. (AP Photo/Igor Kupljenik)

Overview

  • Parliament voted 51–36 on Friday to appoint Janez Janša, ending a two-month deadlock that followed a near-tie March election and the inability of Robert Golob's Freedom Movement to form a majority.
  • Janša is required by parliamentary rules to return within 15 days for a second vote to confirm his Cabinet, a near-term test that will determine whether his fragile coalition can hold.
  • The incoming government is built from Janša's Slovenian Democratic Party and several centre-right partners and relies on outside backing from the Resnica (Truth) party, which will not take ministerial posts.
  • Janša has pledged to cut red tape and taxes for higher earners, decentralize power, fight corruption, and expand support for private education and healthcare, signaling a shift from the previous liberal agenda.
  • His return raises renewed concerns at home and in the EU because his 2020–2022 term drew protests and scrutiny over press freedom and institutional checks, and his foreign-policy stance is expected to be more aligned with populist leaders.