Slovenian president declines to nominate PM candidate after deadlock

Slovenian President Natasa Pirc Musar said she will not nominate a candidate for prime minister following an initial round of consultations with political parties, citing the absence of any figure capable of securing a parliamentary majority.

The announcement leaves Slovenia in political limbo after an inconclusive parliamentary election held in March.

“I do not want to propose a candidate to lead a minority government,” Pirc Musar told reporters in Ljubljana on Saturday, April 25. She added that none of the potential candidates for prime minister had demonstrated the ability to secure the required majority of 46 votes in the 90-seat parliament.

Although outgoing Prime Minister Robert Golob received the highest number of votes in the election, he said last week that he had been unable to assemble the necessary majority coalition. This situation could potentially open the way for nationalist leader Janez Jansa to return to power.

A second round of consultations is expected to begin after May 10 and must be completed within 14 days. During this phase, a candidate for prime minister may also be nominated by parliamentary groups or by at least ten lawmakers.

By Tamilla Hasanova