Janez Janša was elected on Friday as the new Prime Minister of Slovenia, taking leadership of the government for the fourth time.
The Slovenian National Assembly voted for the leader of the Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS) with 51 votes in favor and 36 against in a secret ballot, reported the STA news agency.
With this vote, Janša has received the mandate to form his fourth government, which will be the 16th government in Slovenia’s history. Within 15 days, he must submit the names of the new ministers to parliament.
Following his election, Janša took the oath before MPs, pledging to respect the constitutional order and work “with all his strength for the good of Slovenia.”
A day earlier, he had signed a coalition agreement with the parties New Slovenia (NSi), Slovenian People’s Party (SLS), Focus, and the Democrats, with whom he is forming a governing majority. Support for Janša has also been given by MPs from the Resnica party, although it will not be part of the government cabinet.
The new coalition holds 48 out of 90 seats in parliament, while Janša is expected to secure additional support from representatives of national minorities and one opposition MP.
In his priorities for the new government, Janša emphasized completing the democratization process, economic development, the fight against corruption and organized crime, as well as decentralization and reducing bureaucracy.
Janša is known as a populist politician and a supporter of United States President Donald Trump.
The new government will replace the outgoing cabinet of Robert Golob, who, despite winning the March elections by a narrow margin, failed to form a government.
