Slovenia will remain polarised, whatever Jansa’s fate

Significance

The government led by the Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS) is under mounting pressure as Slovenia prepares to take over the European Council presidency. This is due mainly to hostility in parliament and society to Prime Minister Janez Jansa, who promotes a popular but divisive form of national conservatism.

Impacts

• A successful no-confidence vote in the government followed by early elections would complicate Slovenia’s handling of its EU presidency.
• The fall of the current government and its replacement by the centre-left would improve Slovenia’s relations with the EU and United States.
• Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban would lose an ally at EU level if Jansa lost office.