Janez Jansa Returns as Slovenia's PM for a Fourth Time, Confirmed 51-36 to Lead Minority Coalition

Slovenia's National Assembly approved veteran right-wing leader Janez Jansa as prime minister on 22 May 2026 in a 51-36 secret-ballot vote in the 90-seat chamber, ending a post-election stalemate. The result is notable because Jansa's bloc commanded 43 seats, three short of an absolute majority; he secured passage with external support, including from the opposition Resnica party (led by Zoran Stevanovic) and representatives of the Italian and Hungarian national minorities, forming a minority government on a confidence-and-supply basis. The coalition comprises five parties: Jansa's Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS), New Slovenia (NSi), the Slovenian People's Party (SLS), Focus and the Democrats (led by Anze Logar).

This is Jansa's fourth term as premier (after 2004-2008, 2012-2013 and 2020-2022). The path opened after the March 2026 election, in which Robert Golob's liberal Freedom Movement (Svoboda) finished first with about 29 seats to the SDS's 28, but Golob's attempt to assemble a centre-left majority collapsed after roughly two months. Under Slovenian procedure, Jansa was required to return within 15 days for a cabinet confirmation vote.

Several outlets noted Jansa's pro-Ukraine, pro-American and pro-Israel orientation, a shift on Slovenia's traditionally left-leaning foreign-policy landscape, and his admiration for U.S. President Donald Trump.