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Trump admirer, pro-Israel politician Janez Jansa elected as Slovenian PM

By AFP 22 May 2026, 6:32 pm
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Janez Jansa addressing the Slovenian Parliament during a session in Ljubljana, Slovenia, May 22, 2026, before appointing him as prime minister, ending a political deadlock after tight elections in March. (Igor Kupljenik/AP)
Janez Jansa addressing the Slovenian Parliament during a session in Ljubljana, Slovenia, May 22, 2026, before appointing him as prime minister, ending a political deadlock after tight elections in March. (Igor Kupljenik/AP)

LJUBLJANA, Slovenia — Slovenia’s parliament elected nationalist leader Janez Jansa as prime minister on Friday, after a minority coalition deal and with the fragile support of a protest party.

Fifty-one members of parliament voted to return the right-wing Jansa, an admirer of US President Donald Trump and Israel, to power, while 36 voted against, according to an AFP count of the televised vote.

He replaces liberal Robert Golob, who was highly critical of Israel. Golob’s government recognized a Palestinian state in May 2024.

Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.

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