Outgoing prime minister Robert Golob said he was unable to form a coalition after his liberals won 29 seats in Slovenia’s 90-seat parliament, leaving the conservatives led by Janez Janša with 28. Golob’s announcement paves the way for Janša to try to form a government, although Janša has so far ruled out coalition talks. President Nataša Pirc Musar must nominate a prime minister-designate within 30 days of the April 10 inaugural session; if that candidate fails, parties have 10 days to propose alternatives. The campaign was also marred by probes into alleged foreign interference involving Israeli firm Black Cube, which Janša denies directing.
Golob Fails To Form Coalition, Opening Path For Janša Amid Uncertain Slovenian Vote
Robert Golob's party secured a razor-thin majority in parliamentary elections last month (Jure Makovec)(Jure Makovec/AFP/AFP)
Outgoing prime minister Robert Golob on Monday said he had failed to assemble a governing coalition after his liberal grouping won 29 seats in Slovenia’s 90-seat National Assembly, one more than the conservatives led by Janez Janša. Golob’s announcement clears the way for Janša, the three-time premier and vocal admirer of former US President Donald Trump, to try to form a government.
Golob’s Position
"We are looking forward to our work in the opposition," Golob, 59, told reporters after meeting President Nataša Pirc Musar. He said he could not find willing partners among centre-right parties to join his bloc and secure a parliamentary majority.
Janša’s Response
Janša, 67, who clashed frequently with EU institutions during his previous term, has pledged to restore what he calls "Slovenian values," including support for the traditional family, and to reduce state funding to NGOs he views as political actors. Janša has so far publicly ruled out entering coalition talks but said he is not in a rush and will focus first on the constitution of parliament. "The SDS is not forming any government at the moment," he told reporters after his meeting with President Pirc Musar, adding his party would be "ready for new elections tomorrow" if needed.
Parliamentary Dynamics
Although Janša’s Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS) holds 28 seats, like-minded parties such as the Christian-democrat Nova Slovenija and the Democrats led by former ally Anže Logar share many policy positions with the SDS. Earlier this month, lawmakers from SDS, Nova Slovenija and the Democrats backed a lawmaker from the anti-establishment Resnica party as parliamentary speaker. Resnica says it will not formally join a coalition, but the speaker’s election signals areas of potential tacit support.
What Comes Next
Under the constitution, President Pirc Musar must nominate a prime minister-designate within 30 days of the April 10 inaugural session of parliament. If that nominee fails to win a majority, parties have a 10-day window to propose an alternative candidate. With no clear majority and rival blocs close in size, Slovenia faces a period of political uncertainty and the real possibility of fresh elections if coalition talks fail.
Golob warned that any Janša-led coalition "of fraudsters" would be short-lived, while Janša accuses Golob’s previous government of reckless spending and fostering chaos.
Allegations of Foreign Interference
The final days of the campaign were overshadowed by investigations into whether the Israeli firm Black Cube was behind secretly recorded videos alleging corruption in Golob’s government. A civil society group, an investigative journalist and researchers have accused Black Cube of involvement and said the operation was linked to Janša’s party. Janša has acknowledged meeting a Black Cube official but denies his party orchestrated the recordings.
Background
Golob, a former power company manager who entered politics in 2022, rode a wave of public discontent with Janša’s previous government to an earlier victory. With the new parliament closely divided, the coming weeks will determine whether Slovenia’s next government is formed through coalition deals or new elections are called.
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