Slovenia’s parliament approves right-wing Janez Jansa as prime minister | Government Affairs

The approval of the former populist leader is a change for the EU country which has recently been run by a liberal government.

Slovenia’s parliament has voted to bring in far-right politician Janez Jansa as prime minister, after his last term expires in 2022.

Lawmakers in the 90-member assembly voted for Jansa 51-36 on Friday – marking a change in the European Union’s smallest country that has been led by a liberal government.

Jansa will need to return to parliament within the next 15 days for another vote to confirm his cabinet future.

His appointment ends the election after a vote two months ago was tied when former liberal Prime Minister Robert Golob’s Freedom Movement failed to form a parliamentary majority by a narrow margin.

On Thursday, Jansa and his popular Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS) signed a coalition agreement with several right-wing parties to form a new government, which now has 43 seats in the assembly.

It will be the 67-year-old Jansa’s fourth term in office.

He was the country’s leader from 2004 to 2008, 2012 to 2013 and 2020 to 2022.

In the March 22 elections, SDS came second with 28 seats, behind Golob’s Freedom Movement, which won 29 seats.

The new coalition government has been formed by SDS, New Slovenia, Democrats, Slovenian People’s Party and Focus. It also received further support from the far-right Resnica party, which will not enter the government.

Speaking outlining the government’s future goals, Jansa mentioned the economy, the fight against corruption and corruption, and decentralization.

He also promised to lower taxes on the wealthy and support special education and health care.

Earlier this month, Jansa told reporters that the deal would ensure “low cost but good facilities”.

Jansa admires US President Donald Trump and was a close friend of former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who lost a landslide election last month.

The former prime minister is a supporter of Israel and was a strong opponent of the Golob government’s proposal to recognize a Palestinian state in 2024.

During his last term in office, Jansa faced charges against democratic institutions and press freedom, which led to protests at the time and scrutiny from the European Union.