Trending Now - Slovenia Poised for Janša's Return as Prime Minister Again

WHO:

politico.eu - Janez Janša, leader of the Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS), is a right-wing politician and a self-described admirer of U.S. President Donald Trump.

ABC News World - Robert Golob is the incumbent Prime Minister and leader of the Freedom Movement.

WHAT:

politico.eu - A formal proposal for Janša's candidacy was filed by a group of 43 lawmakers led by SDS parliamentary chief Jelka Godec.

ABC News World - Janša is set to become Slovenia's prime minister again after his candidacy was submitted to Parliament.

WHERE:

politico.eu - The events are taking place in Slovenia, specifically in the National Assembly.

WHEN:

politico.eu - A parliamentary vote on Janša’s candidacy could come as early as Friday.

politico.eu - Janša previously served as prime minister from 2004 to 2008, 2012 to 2013, and again from 2020 to 2022.

WHY:

politico.eu - The comeback would represent a dramatic political reversal after Golob's Freedom Movement won last March’s national elections by a razor-thin margin, scoring 29 seats to Janša’s 28.

politico.eu - Golob admitted defeat and resigned himself to being leader of the opposition after failing to build a governing majority.

HOW:

politico.eu - The coalition supporting Janša is expected to have the numbers needed to secure his return to office, as stated by National Assembly Speaker Zoran Stevanović.

(UPDATED May 20, 2026 06:21 UTC)

Janez Janša, the leader of the Slovenian Democratic Party, is poised to become Slovenia's prime minister again after a formal proposal for his candidacy was filed by a group of 43 lawmakers. A parliamentary vote on Janša's candidacy could take place as early as Friday, following his previous terms in office from 2004 to 2008, 2012 to 2013, and 2020 to 2022. This potential comeback comes after Robert Golob's Freedom Movement narrowly won last March's national elections, but Golob has since admitted defeat and resigned to lead the opposition.