The Slovenian parliament on Friday elected right-wing conservative politician Janez Janša as the new prime minister. According to the STA news agency, 51 lawmakers voted in favor, 36 against. Janša replaces the previous liberal-left prime minister Robert Golob, whose Freedom Movement (GS) narrowly beat Janša’s Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS) in the March parliamentary election but failed to secure a coalition majority.
Janša plans to form a minority government externally supported by the right-wing populist and Russia-friendly group Resnica (Truth). In his address before the vote, he announced decentralization, bureaucracy reduction, and anti-corruption measures. The future coalition’s government program includes tax cuts, a funding freeze for non-governmental organizations, and stricter migration policies. Additionally, drug tests for civil servants and a ban on mobile phones in schools are planned.
The parliamentary session in Ljubljana was accompanied by protests. Critics accuse Janša of having cooperated with the Israeli private intelligence service Black Cube to use manipulated video clips to stir sentiment against the previous government. Outgoing prime minister Robert Golob speaks of “betrayal” of the country.
Janša becomes prime minister of Slovenia for the fourth time. He previously held office from 2004 to 2008, 2012 to 2013, and 2020 to 2022. His earlier terms were overshadowed by corruption scandals and attacks on independent media and dissidents, each ending with his removal from office. In the past, he was known for threats against media, civil organizations, and trade unions.
Source: www.zeit.de
