The opposition Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS) of ex-Prime Minister Janez Janša defeated the ruling Freedom Movement of Prime Minister Robert Golob in the elections of members of the European Parliament (EP), the former head of government said.
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In Slovenia, elections of EP deputies were held ahead of schedule on June 4-6, with the main voting taking place on Sunday. Just under 1.7 million citizens had the right to vote. A total of 11 parties participated. In the previous convocation of the EP, Janša’s fellow party members and coalition partners held the majority of Slovenian mandates. In 2019-2024, Slovenia had eight MEPs, with nine seats allocated for the period 2024-2029 out of a total of 720.
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According to the latest data on the election commission website, after processing 84.29% of the ballots, the center-right SDS receives four mandates, the ruling Freedom Movement – two mandates. One seat each in the EP from Slovenia goes to the parties Vesna, NSi and the Social Democrats of Foreign Minister Tanya Fajon.
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“As for the European elections, everything indicates that the SDS will win the European Parliament elections for the fourth time in a row,” Janša said at a briefing at the movement’s headquarters and added that the ruling coalition was defeated.
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He also pointed to the results of the vote in France and Belgium, where it was decided to dissolve parliaments to hold new elections according to the “will of the voters.”
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Simultaneously with the elections of European deputies, four referendums are being held in Slovenia: on the creation of a legal framework for euthanasia, on technical changes in parliamentary elections, on the cultivation of cannabis for medical purposes, as well as for personal use. In all four referendums, citizens are in favor by large margins.
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The current Slovenian prime minister, who came to power following the 2022 parliamentary elections, is a supporter of a more moderate foreign policy than his predecessor Janša.
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Golob emphasized in February 2023 that official Ljubljana immediately made its significant contribution to humanitarian and military assistance to Ukraine, now it is the turn of the major EU member states. Foreign Minister Tanya Fajon also indicated that Slovenia would focus on humanitarian and financial assistance, as well as demining Ukraine.
