Slovenia's Freedom Movement narrowly wins parliamentary polls

Slovenia's ruling Freedom Movement (FM), led by Prime Minister Robert Golob, secured a narrow victory in the country's parliamentary election on Sunday, according to preliminary results, reported Xinhua.

With 99 percent of votes counted, the centre-left FM won 28.6 percent, narrowly ahead of the opposition Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS), led by Janez Jansa, which garnered 28.2 percent, data from the State Election Commission showed. Voter turnout stood at around 68 percent, down from 71 percent in the 2022 election.

In the 90-seat National Assembly, the FM is projected to secure 29 seats. Its current coalition partners, the Social Democrats and the Left, are expected to win a combined 11 seats, leaving the ruling bloc short of a parliamentary majority. The SDS is projected to take 28 seats.

Three smaller parties - New Slovenia, the Democrats, and Resni.ca - are also set to enter parliament and could play a decisive role in coalition negotiations.

Golob said in a statement following the release of preliminary results that his party would strive to improve the future for all citizens, while acknowledging that coalition talks would be "tough." He has previously indicated a willingness to negotiate with all parliamentary parties except the SDS.

Jansa, a former three-time prime minister, expressed concern over the outcome, warning that it could result in an unstable government.

President Natasa Pirc Musar is expected to nominate a candidate for prime minister in the coming weeks.