LJUBLJANA, March 22, (V7N) – Incumbent Prime Minister Robert Golob declared victory in Slovenia’s parliamentary elections on Sunday after results showed his liberal party narrowly ahead of the conservatives led by veteran politician Janez Jansa.  

With 99.85% of votes counted, Golob’s party secured 28.62%, translating to 29 seats in the 90-seat parliament. Jansa’s conservatives followed closely with 27.95% and 28 seats.  

Golob, 59, told supporters: “Since we have received the people’s confidence, now we can think about going forward under a free sun. We will do everything to grant a better future to all citizens in our next mandate.” He emphasized that coalition talks would be necessary but insisted Slovenia’s sovereignty would not be compromised.  

Jansa, 67, described the vote as a “referendum on corruption,” referencing secretly recorded videos alleging graft in Golob’s government. He vowed to “count every vote” and warned against forming a weak coalition.  

Golob took office in 2022, replacing Jansa, and has since led a three-party centre-left coalition.

His government legalized same-sex marriage and became one of the few EU nations to describe Israel’s war in Gaza as “genocide.”  

The campaign was marred by claims of foreign interference, with authorities probing whether an Israeli company was behind the leaked videos.  

Smaller parties, including an anti-establishment group and a conservative faction formed by a former Jansa ally, also entered parliament, making coalition-building more complex.  

Analysts say the fragmented parliament could make forming a stable government difficult, despite Golob’s claim of victory.  

END/WD/RH