Incoming Prime Minister Janez Janša ordered the Palestinian flag removed from the government palace minutes after taking office, prompting President Nataša Pirc Musar to announce she will fly the flag outside the presidential palace for a week. Janša framed the removal as the start of a "new chapter" with Israel, which has said it will open a resident embassy in Slovenia. The dispute highlights sharp domestic divisions over foreign policy following Slovenia's May 2024 recognition of Palestine and raises questions about future security and diplomatic ties.
Slovenia's New PM Sparks Flag Dispute With President After Palestinian Banner Removed
Janez Janša is an admirer and close ally of Donald Trump, whose wife, Melania, is Slovenian and holds dual US-Slovenian citizenship - Jure Makovec/AFP via Getty Images
Slovenia has been thrust into a diplomatic and domestic dispute after incoming Prime Minister Janez Janša ordered the removal of a Palestinian flag from the government palace minutes after taking office.
Janša, a nationalist who has publicly admired former US President Donald Trump and is known for Eurosceptic views, said the move signalled a "new chapter" in relations with Israel. The banner had been displayed alongside the Slovenian, EU and Ukrainian flags after Janša's predecessor formally raised it following Slovenia's recognition of Palestine in May 2024.
The next day, President Nataša Pirc Musar — an independent and former lawyer — announced she would fly the Palestinian flag outside the presidential palace for one week in protest.
"The genocide against Palestinians has not been halted, and people in Gaza and the West Bank do not live in peace and dignity," Ms Pirc Musar said, adding that the gesture opposed what she described as "gross violations of international humanitarian law and human rights."
Political Background
Janša formed a centre-right, five-party coalition after a tight election in March. His alliance holds 43 of 90 seats in the Slovenian parliament and is backed informally by the hard-right Resnica party, which has not formally joined the government.
The incoming government replaces the administration of Robert Golob, a liberal, pro-EU leader whose relations with Israel had cooled. Mr Golob ordered the Palestinian flag to be raised outside the government building after Slovenia recognised Palestine in coordination with Norway, Spain and Ireland.
Diplomatic Fallout
Israel's foreign minister, Gideon Sa'ar, welcomed Janša's election and said Israel would "act without delay" to open a resident embassy in Slovenia, shifting from the current arrangement in which Israel's Vienna embassy covers Ljubljana. Sa'ar called Janša a friend of Israel and saw an opportunity to advance bilateral ties following what he described as strained relations with the previous government.
The Palestinian flag is seen flying along those of Slovenia, Ukraine and the EU on the government buildings in Ljubljana before the new government came into office - Jure Makovec/AFP
The United States also publicly congratulated Janša and expressed interest in cooperation on defence, energy resilience, regional stability and prosperity, according to a US statement.
Policy Implications and Security Concerns
Mr Golob had reportedly considered supporting a case at the International Court of Justice alleging genocide by Israel, but the proposal met resistance within his coalition. Officials warned that such a move could risk national security because a significant portion of Slovenia's cyber-defence infrastructure relies on Israeli technology.
Janša is expected to reverse several policies from the previous government, including travel restrictions applied to Israeli leaders and ministers, and to pursue domestic priorities such as tax cuts, targeted spending and an anti-corruption campaign.
Other recent tensions included Slovenia's boycott of this year's Eurovision Song Contest over Israel's participation, reflecting how the Gaza war has reverberated through cultural as well as diplomatic channels.
What Comes Next
The swift removal of the flag — and the president's counteraction — underline the domestic divisions in Slovenia over foreign policy toward Israel and Palestine. The situation will be watched closely by EU partners, Israel and human-rights observers as Janša's government sets its course.
Key figures: Janez Janša (incoming prime minister), Nataša Pirc Musar (president), Robert Golob (outgoing prime minister), Gideon Sa'ar (Israel's foreign minister).
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