Slovenia’s National Assembly has passed amendments to the Government Act, reducing the number of ministries from 19 to 14. The changes, proposed by Janez Janša’s Democratic Party (SDS), mark a significant step toward forming a new center-right government following the March 22 general election.
The reform streamlines several portfolios by merging departments, including combining labor with the economy and sport, and joining internal affairs with public administration. Infrastructure will now also oversee energy policy, while education, science, and youth are unified under one ministry. A new ministry for demography, family, and social affairs will handle most social policy issues.
Supporters say the changes will reduce bureaucracy and improve efficiency. SDS lawmaker Aleš Hojs described it as “a government that works, not one that wastes time coordinating.” Critics, particularly from the Left party and trade unions, warned that merging labor and economy portfolios could weaken social protections and favor business interests over workers.
The bill passed with 49 votes in favor and only 4 against, with the two main center-left parties—the Freedom Movement and the Social Democrats—abstaining. The strong support signals that three-time PM Janez Janša has enough backing in the 90-seat parliament to lead the next government after coalition talks conclude.
A new coalition is expected to include New Slovenia (NSi) and the Democrats led by former SDS member Anže Logar. That would give the coalition 43 seats, leaving it a few seats short of a majority in the 90-member National Assembly, but the populist Truth Party has said they will support Janza’s premiership and can be expected to support his coalition on a case-by-case basis. The Truth Party’s leader, Zoran Stevanović, was elected speaker of parliament with the support of the Right last month.
A vote on the new prime minister-designate is not expected before late May.
