Slovenia's parliament has voted to appoint right-wing politician Janez Jansa as prime minister, ushering in a new political direction for the European Union country. The vote in the 90-member assembly saw 51 legislators support Jansa, with 36 opposing him.

Jansa's appointment follows a post-election stalemate after the general election held two months prior. The previous liberal government, led by former Prime Minister Robert Golob, had secured only a narrow majority, making it difficult to form a stable governing coalition.

On Thursday, Jansa and his Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS) finalized a coalition agreement with several center-right parties. This new alliance commands 43 seats in parliament, providing a majority for the incoming government. Jansa, aged 67, is set to begin his fourth term as prime minister.

He has previously held the office from 2004 to 2008, 2012 to 2013, and again from 2020 to 2022. The March 22 elections saw the SDS finish second with 28 seats, narrowly behind Golob’s Freedom Movement, which secured 29 seats.

The coalition government will comprise the SDS, New Slovenia, Democrats, and the Slovenian People’s Party, along with the Focus party. Additionally, the right-wing Resnica party has pledged support without formally joining the government.

In outlining his government's priorities, Jansa highlighted the economy, combating corruption and bureaucracy, and promoting decentralization. He also indicated plans to reduce taxes for higher earners and increase support for private education and healthcare sectors, aiming for a "cheaper state but with better quality."

Jansa is known for his admiration of former US President Donald Trump and was a close associate of Hungary's former populist Prime Minister Viktor Orban. He has also been a strong supporter of Israel and a vocal critic of the previous government's decision to recognize a Palestinian state in 2024.

During his previous tenure, Jansa faced allegations of undermining democratic institutions and press freedoms, which led to public protests and scrutiny from the European Union. He is expected to present his cabinet for confirmation within the next 15 days.