Slovenia’s parliament to convene on 10 April amid coalition talks
Slovenia’s newly elected parliament will convene on 10 April, paving the way for coalition negotiations following a closely contested election on 22 March.
Slovenia’s coalition negotiations will unfold against a backdrop of rising scrutiny regarding foreign influence and alleged misconduct in public procurement, intensifying the political stakes.
Nataša Pirc Musar stated, “I reject any doubts whatsoever about the legitimacy of these elections,” amidst claims from opposition leader Janez Janša.
Key developments
Slovenia’s new parliament will convene on 10 April, enabling crucial coalition negotiations following a closely contested election. Slovenian President Nataša Pirc Musar announced this after consulting with party leaders.
Outgoing Prime Minister Robert Golob’s Freedom Movement achieved a narrow victory with 29 seats, just ahead of Janez Janša’s Slovenian Democratic Party, which secured 28 seats. Coalition talks are expected to be challenging.
The president is required to propose a prime minister designate within 30 days of the inaugural session, making swift negotiations essential in light of ongoing geopolitical tensions.
Slovenia to inaugurate new parliament on 10 April after election mired in scandal
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Slovenia’s newly elected parliament will come together on 10 April opening the way for tough coalition talks after the liberals’ razor-thin win this month, the EU country’s president said on Monday.
“As soon as the official results are published, I will call the constitutive session of the new parliament on April 10,” Slovenian President Nataša Pirc Musar told journalists after her first consultations with the leaders of seven parties that entered parliament at the 22 March vote.
She warned current geopolitical circumstances require swift coalition negotiations that will put in place a new government as soon as possible but admitted the current positions of the two blocs in parliament suggest “several rounds of talks are predictable.”
Outgoing Prime Minister Robert Golob’s liberal Freedom Movement (GS) scored a tight victory winning 29 seats in the 90-seat parliament ahead of US President Donald Trump admirer Janez Janša’s Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS), that took 28 seats.
“Through collaboration on concrete measures that will benefit people and economy we can build trust between those that have been on opposite banks in the past,” Golob said after meeting Pirc Musar on Monday.
Pirc Musar reacted to Janša’s claims saying “I reject any doubts whatsoever about the legitimacy of these elections.”
By law, the president has to propose to parliament a prime minister designate 30 days after the inaugural session.
Backdrop of scandals
Golob sent a letter to EU leaders, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa, raising concerns about foreign influence in Slovenia’s elections.
The recordings, published on the anti-corruption 2026 website, reportedly show high-ranking officials discussing the acceleration of public procurement processes, the transfer of state funds, and manipulations in business deals.
Among the most contentious cases is the purchase of a partially ruined building in Ljubljana for €7.7 million, nearly five times its 2019 acquisition price. The revelations have intensified scrutiny over alleged misuse of public funds, influence peddling and pressure on businesses and journalists.
Later, the Slovenian government decided against joining South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, despite having previously expressed desire to participate in the proceedings.
They reportedly cautioned that joining the lawsuit could jeopardise Slovenia’s national security, noting that many of the country’s cyber defence systems are of Israeli origin.
Additional sources • AFP