Slovenian general election likely to end in coalition

The Slovenian people will choose their new government today. Or at least they will go to the polls. The concrete result of the general election could take weeks to become clear, as support across a wide political spectrum makes a multi-party coalition almost inevitable.

Janez Jansa’s ruling party is expected to get around a third of the vote. Polls predict that would be more than any other grouping, but it would leave the present prime minister courting potential coalition partners, and with bribery allegations hanging over him that might not prove easy.

His closest contender is close enough to threaten to upset the apple cart.

Social Democrat leader Borut Pahor believes he can assemble his own coalition, which would likely take in Katarina Kresal, a newcomer to Slovenian politics, but already President of the Liberal Democrats.

Along with the Zares party the three potential allies could easily carry the election on shared support.

Whoever does end up in charge of the Slovenian parliament could face a heavy burden. Inflation is running at six percent in the country and public discontent is growing.