Slovenia's parliament has elected Janez Jansa as prime minister, paving the way for the Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS) leader to begin a fourth term in office.
Jansa secured the mandate to form a government after lawmakers voted 51-36 in favour of his nomination, the Slovenian Press Agency (STA) reported on Friday.
He is expected to lead Slovenia’s 16th government once the cabinet is formed.
Following the vote, Jansa pledged to uphold the constitutional order and work for the country’s prosperity.
“Important step towards a more successful and freer Slovenia,” he said, according to STA.
Speaking to reporters after the vote, Jansa said coalition talks on ministerial appointments would begin Monday and that he expects the new government to be sworn in within two weeks.
"The development and wealth of Slovenia are the top priorities of this coalition," Jansa told parliament when presenting his candidature.
Protests against Jansa
Outgoing liberal Prime Minister Robert Golob, who came to power in 2022 on a wave of protests against Jansa, announced last month he could not form a government.
Jansa swiftly launched coalition talks that ended on Monday with a deal between his Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS) and two centre-right parties, Christian Democratic Party Nova Slovenija and his former close ally Anze Logar's Democrats.
Combined, they hold 43 seats in parliament.
He ensured his majority with the votes of five lawmakers from the Resnica party, created in 2021 by opponents to the state measures aimed at limiting the Covid-19 pandemic.
The coalition programme priorities include reducing taxes and forging a more efficient state through decentralisation and slashing bureaucracy.
"We will ensure a cheaper state but with better quality," Jansa told journalists earlier this month.
In his presentation speech, Jansa also announced his government would advocate for "a consistent control at the EU's external borders".
