Slovenia Nears New Government

Slovenia’s Democratic Party (SDS) has nominated its leader, Janez Jansa, as prime minister after securing support from a potential governing coalition, a move that could end the political deadlock following the March elections.

If approved by parliament, Jansa would begin his fourth term as prime minister. The SDS has agreed on a coalition with four center-right parties: New Slovenia, the Democrats, the Slovenian People’s Party and the Focus party. The right-wing Resnica party pledged support without joining the government.

The coalition is expected to control 50 seats in the 90-member parliament. A confidence vote is scheduled for Friday.

Coalition partners agreed on tax cuts for businesses and anti-corruption measures, according to the STA news agency.

In the March election, Jansa’s SDS won 28 seats, narrowly behind outgoing Prime Minister Robert Golob’s Freedom Movement with 29 seats. Golob, however, failed to secure a governing majority.

(reuters, lud)