Slovenian prime minister Robert Golob has announced that he has failed to secure enough support to form a governing coalition, following last month’s closely contested parliamentary elections.
Speaking after meeting President Nataša Pirc Musar, Golob said he had been unable to reach an agreement with potential partners, leaving his liberal movement without the necessary majority in parliament:
We are looking forward to our work in the opposition.
Golob’s party emerged narrowly ahead in the election, winning 29 seats in the 90-seat National Assembly, while the conservative Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS) led by former prime minister Janez Janša secured 28 seats. Despite the close result, coalition negotiations between the two main blocs have failed to produce an agreement.
Earlier this month, Slovenia’s parliament held its inaugural session, during which a lawmaker from an anti-establishment party was elected speaker—with support from Janša’s conservatives and an ally, highlighting shifting alliances in the chamber.
Under Slovenia’s constitution, the president must nominate a prime minister within 30 days of the first parliamentary session, which took place on April 10th. If no candidate secures a majority, parties will have a further ten days to propose an alternative nominee.
