Slovenia’s three-time prime minister Janez Jansa was defeated in the national elections after the Freedom Movement (GS) won more votes than his Slovenian Democratic party. He was defeated Robert Golob who is a newcomer to Slovenian politics and had established his party in January.

With around two million people voting in the elections, GS won with a comfortable vote share of 34.5 per cent while Jansa’s SDS could manage only 23.6% of the total votes. Jansa was accused of undermining democratic institutions and the press in the past and that proved to be the decider.

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When it comes to the seat share, the environmentalist Freedom Movement party got 40 seats compared to SDS’s 28 seats in the Slovenian parliament which has a total of 90 seats.

The turnout in the vote, in which some 1.7 million people were eligible to cast their ballots in the small Alpine country that is a member of the European Union and the NATO military alliance, was 68%, the election commission said according to a Reuters report.

Jansa had already served as prime minister between 2004 and 2008, and 2012-2013 but he was forced out of power withing one year of his second term after being accused in a corruption scandal.

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Golob, who renamed the Green party into the Freedom Movement in January earlier this year, was a former power plant manager and the 55-year-old was able to tap into the dissent forming against Jansa which was clear from the massive turnout during the anti-government rallies around Slovenia.

“Our objective has been reached: a victory that will enable us to take the country back to freedom,”

“People want changes and have expressed their confidence in us as the only ones who can bring those changes,” he said earlier via a livestream from his home according to AFP.

WATCH |&nbsp;French Elections: A second term in office for centrist Emmanuel Macron

&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/french-elections-a-second-term-in-office-for-centrist-emmanuel-macron-473533/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Slovenia’s three-time prime minister Janez Jansa was defeated in the national elections after the Freedom Movement (GS) won more votes than his Slovenian Democratic party.

Slovenia’s three-time prime minister Janez Jansa was defeated in the national elections after the Freedom Movement (GS) won more votes than his Slovenian Democratic party. He was defeated Robert Golob who is a newcomer to Slovenian politics and had established his party in January. With around two million people voting in the elections, GS won with a comfortable vote share of 34.5 per cent while Jansa’s SDS could manage only 23.6% of the total votes. Jansa was accused of undermining democratic institutions and the press in the past and that proved to be the decider. Also read | Mass testing underway in Beijing, COVID-19 clusters detected in Shanghai When it comes to the seat share, the environmentalist Freedom Movement party got 40 seats compared to SDS’s 28 seats in the Slovenian parliament which has a total of 90 seats. The turnout in the vote, in which some 1.7 million people were eligible to cast their ballots in the small Alpine country that is a member of the European Union and the NATO military alliance, was 68%, the election commission said according to a Reuters report. Jansa had already served as prime minister between 2004 and 2008, and 2012-2013 but he was forced out of power withing one year of his second term after being accused in a corruption scandal. Also read | Russia has designs to capture other countries after Ukraine, says Zelensky Golob, who renamed the Green party into the Freedom Movement in January earlier this year, was a former power plant manager and the 55-year-old was able to tap into the dissent forming against Jansa which was clear from the massive turnout during the anti-government rallies around Slovenia. “Our objective has been reached: a victory that will enable us to take the country back to freedom,” “People want changes and have expressed their confidence in us as the only ones who can bring those changes,” he said earlier via a livestream from his home according to AFP. WATCH | French Elections: A second term in office for centrist Emmanuel Macron

Political newcomer Robert Golob defeats Slovenian prime minister Janez Jansa in national elections

In the first foreign leaders' visit to Ukraine's besieged capital since Russia's invasion, the prime ministers of Poland, the Czech Republic, and Slovenia met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday.

Upon arrival by train, the prime ministers sat around a table with their Ukrainian counterpart Denis Shmyhal and the Ukrainian president, who provided an overview of the situation.

"They are shelling everywhere. Not only Kyiv but also the western areas," Zelensky told them in comments translated into English, a video posted on his Telegram account showed.

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"We have to halt this tragedy unfolding in the East as quickly as possible," Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said in a post on Facebook announcing their arrival.

Ukraine had the "unequivocal support" of the European Union, he added.

Shmyhal announced their arrival earlier that day on Twitter, saluting "the courage of true friends of Ukraine."

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
The Prime Ministers of 🇵🇱 <a href="https://twitter.com/MorawieckiM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MorawieckiM</a>, 🇸🇮 <a href="https://twitter.com/JJansaSDS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JJansaSDS</a> and 🇨🇿 <a href="https://twitter.com/P_Fiala?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@P_Fiala</a> arrived on the behalf of <a href="https://twitter.com/EUCouncil?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EUCouncil</a> to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Kyiv?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Kyiv</a> today. The courage of true friends of 🇺🇦! Discussing support of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Ukraine?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Ukraine</a> and strengthening sanctions against the Russian aggression.
— Denys Shmyhal (@Denys_Shmyhal) <a href="https://twitter.com/Denys_Shmyhal/status/1503793161562427393?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 15, 2022</a></blockquote>
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He said their talks would focus on support for Ukraine and "strengthening sanctions against the Russian aggression".

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Prime Minister Morawiecki, Czech Premier Petr Fiala and Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa are on a visit to the besieged country as "representatives" of the European Union, according to an early statement from the Polish government.

The visit comes as Russian forces attack targets across Ukraine, including Kyiv, which has nearly been encircled by Moscow's forces, and as negotiations to end the nearly three-week war are scheduled to resume.

"In such crucial times for the world, it is our duty to be in the place where history is being made," Morawiecki said in a Facebook post earlier Tuesday.

"Because this is not about us, it is about the future of our children who deserve to live in a world free from tyranny," he said.

Watch |&nbsp;Ukraine | Refugees of war: What do the numbers say

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/ukraine-refugees-of-war-what-do-the-numbers-say-462711/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

According to the government statement, the visit was organised "in agreement" with European Council chief Charles Michel and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen.

"The purpose of the visit is to confirm the unequivocal support of the entire European Union for the sovereignty and independence of Ukraine and to present a broad package of support for the Ukrainian state and society," the statement said.

Jaroslaw Kaczynski, the leader of Poland's right-wing Law and Justice (PiS) party, accompanied&nbsp;the trio.

(With inputs from agencies)

In the first foreign leaders' visit to Ukraine's besieged capital since Russia's invasion, the prime ministers of Poland, the Czech Republic, and Slovenia met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday.

In the first foreign leaders' visit to Ukraine's besieged capital since Russia's invasion, the prime ministers of Poland, the Czech Republic, and Slovenia met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday. Upon arrival by train, the prime ministers sat around a table with their Ukrainian counterpart Denis Shmyhal and the Ukrainian president, who provided an overview of the situation. "They are shelling everywhere. Not only Kyiv but also the western areas," Zelensky told them in comments translated into English, a video posted on his Telegram account showed. Also read | Imitation, the sincerest form of flattery: French President discards suits, dons sweatshirt. Copying Zelensky? "We have to halt this tragedy unfolding in the East as quickly as possible," Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said in a post on Facebook announcing their arrival. Ukraine had the "unequivocal support" of the European Union, he added. Shmyhal announced their arrival earlier that day on Twitter, saluting "the courage of true friends of Ukraine." The Prime Ministers of 🇵🇱 @MorawieckiM, 🇸🇮 @JJansaSDS and 🇨🇿 @P_Fiala arrived on the behalf of @EUCouncil to #Kyiv today. The courage of true friends of 🇺🇦! Discussing support of #Ukraine and strengthening sanctions against the Russian aggression. — Denys Shmyhal (@Denys_Shmyhal) March 15, 2022 × He said their talks would focus on support for Ukraine and "strengthening sanctions against the Russian aggression". Also read | 'We don't know how to kill': Residents of Odessa who cannot fight help with war efforts in other ways Prime Minister Morawiecki, Czech Premier Petr Fiala and Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa are on a visit to the besieged country as "representatives" of the European Union, according to an early statement from the Polish government. The visit comes as Russian forces attack targets across Ukraine, including Kyiv, which has nearly been encircled by Moscow's forces, and as negotiations to end the nearly three-week war are scheduled to resume. "In such crucial times for the world, it is our duty to be in the place where history is being made," Morawiecki said in a Facebook post earlier Tuesday. "Because this is not about us, it is about the future of our children who deserve to live in a world free from tyranny," he said. Watch | Ukraine | Refugees of war: What do the numbers say According to the government statement, the visit was organised "in agreement" with European Council chief Charles Michel and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen. "The purpose of the visit is to confirm the unequivocal support of the entire European Union for the sovereignty and independence of Ukraine and to present a broad package of support for the Ukrainian state and society," the statement said. Jaroslaw Kaczynski, the leader of Poland's right-wing Law and Justice (PiS) party, accompanied the trio. (With inputs from agencies)

'Courage of true friends of Ukraine': European leaders' defiant visit to Kyiv amid growing tension with Russia

In an exclusive interview to Palki Sharma, Slovenia's Prime Minister Janez Jansa admits that Europe has not done enough to contain the growing threat from China. Jansa says the EU has put its economic interests above its values.

Gravitas: Slovenia's Prime Minister Janez Jansa speaks to WION

Slovenia faces tense political wrangling&nbsp;Monday&nbsp;after the party of veteran leader Janez Jansa, who invoked the spectre of a migrant invasion on the campaign trail, came out on top in elections but fell far short of a majority.

With virtually all the votes counted, Jansa's SDS has secured just under 25 per cent -- giving it 25 seats in the 90-seat assembly -- and the "anti-establishment" LMS party of comedian-turned-politician Marjan Sarec has placed second with 12.7 per cent and 13 seats, the State Election Commission said.

During the campaign, Jansa made common cause with fellow right-wing firebrand Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and effectively evoked memories of more than 500,000 migrants who crossed Slovenia in late 2015 and early 2016 -- although all except a handful of them continued on to northern Europe.

In a televised statement&nbsp;on Sunday&nbsp;evening, delivered with little triumphalism, the 59-year-old Jansa said his Slovenian Democratic Party's "door for talks and coalitions is open" to all other parties.

"We are ready to start serious talks based on the programme we have been working hard on," he said.

He reiterated his anti-migrant position saying migration was "the most serious challenge according to most Europeans".

The only party which has so far said it would work with Jansa, the centre-right Nova Slovenija, has won just 7.1 per cent and seven seats, leaving the two parties short of the 46 needed for a majority.

That leaves the second place LMS party potentially with a crucial role to play.

Speaking to the POP TV station after polls closed, Sarec said he was "very happy" with the results, hinting that it could give him the opportunity to band with other parties to keep Jansa out of power.

During the campaign, Sarec said that Jansa's anti-immigration rhetoric and his appearances with Orban "crossed all red lines".

On Sunday&nbsp;evening Sarec repeated his opposition to working with Jansa, saying: "We have said it so many times in public that we would not be trustworthy if we did."

Sarec had been criticised for his vague platform during the campaign but recently told AFP his party "has many things in common with (French President) Emmanuel&nbsp;Macron's position, a sensible, centrist orientation".

The centre-left Social Democrats have finished in third place on 9.9 per cent followed by the SMC party of outgoing prime minister Miro Cerar on 9.7 per cent and the left-wing Levica party with 9.3 per cent.

Early elections were called in March after Cerar threw in the towel following months of public-sector strikes and internal wrangling within his coalition, with the last straw coming when a supreme court verdict on a flagship infrastructure project went against the government.

On Sunday&nbsp;Cerar told POP TV that the "results show that we (SMC) remain an important player on the political stage and we will continue fulfilling our role with responsibility".

Just under 52 per cent of the 1.7 million Slovenians eligible to vote turned out.

Jansa's political career stretches back to the country's struggle for independence from Yugoslavia and has already seen its fair share of drama. In 2013 he was forced to step down from the second term as prime minister over a corruption scandal and ran in the 2014 elections from jail -- the conviction was later overturned.

In this campaign, he promised to tackle the thorny issues of healthcare reform and disputes with neighbour Croatia, as well as promising tax cuts.

But it was his combative personality, strident anti-immigration rhetoric and alliance with Orban that dominated the closing stages of the campaign.

Like right-wing populists elsewhere he has adopted a feisty presence on Twitter and has used it to defend his alliance with Orban.

"Thanks to its (migration) policy, Hungary is a safe country while Belgium, due to its wrong policy, isn't," read a recent tweet from Jansa, who first served as prime minister from 2004-08.

Last month Orban said a&nbsp;SDS victory "would ensure the survival of the Slovenian people".

According to Slovenian media reports, Jansa's media campaign was also boosted by investments totalling some two million euros ($2.3 million) from Hungarian media companies in a TV station and newspaper co-owned by SDS.

For the first time in over a decade, the elections took place against a backdrop of strong economic growth rather than financial crisis or recession.

But Cerar's government did not reap any political benefit from the turnaround, with his rivals focusing on growing hospital waiting lists and demands for higher pensions and wages and a better business environment.

Analysts say that in the near future political instability may well persist, whether under a right-wing, Jansa-led government or one from the centre-left.

During the campaign, Sarec said that Jansa's anti-immigration rhetoric and his appearances with Orban "crossed all red lines"

Slovenia faces tense political wrangling Monday after the party of veteran leader Janez Jansa, who invoked the spectre of a migrant invasion on the campaign trail, came out on top in elections but fell far short of a majority. With virtually all the votes counted, Jansa's SDS has secured just under 25 per cent -- giving it 25 seats in the 90-seat assembly -- and the "anti-establishment" LMS party of comedian-turned-politician Marjan Sarec has placed second with 12.7 per cent and 13 seats, the State Election Commission said. During the campaign, Jansa made common cause with fellow right-wing firebrand Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and effectively evoked memories of more than 500,000 migrants who crossed Slovenia in late 2015 and early 2016 -- although all except a handful of them continued on to northern Europe. In a televised statement on Sunday evening, delivered with little triumphalism, the 59-year-old Jansa said his Slovenian Democratic Party's "door for talks and coalitions is open" to all other parties. "We are ready to start serious talks based on the programme we have been working hard on," he said. He reiterated his anti-migrant position saying migration was "the most serious challenge according to most Europeans". The only party which has so far said it would work with Jansa, the centre-right Nova Slovenija, has won just 7.1 per cent and seven seats, leaving the two parties short of the 46 needed for a majority. That leaves the second place LMS party potentially with a crucial role to play. Speaking to the POP TV station after polls closed, Sarec said he was "very happy" with the results, hinting that it could give him the opportunity to band with other parties to keep Jansa out of power. During the campaign, Sarec said that Jansa's anti-immigration rhetoric and his appearances with Orban "crossed all red lines". On Sunday evening Sarec repeated his opposition to working with Jansa, saying: "We have said it so many times in public that we would not be trustworthy if we did." Sarec had been criticised for his vague platform during the campaign but recently told AFP his party "has many things in common with (French President) Emmanuel Macron's position, a sensible, centrist orientation". The centre-left Social Democrats have finished in third place on 9.9 per cent followed by the SMC party of outgoing prime minister Miro Cerar on 9.7 per cent and the left-wing Levica party with 9.3 per cent. Early elections were called in March after Cerar threw in the towel following months of public-sector strikes and internal wrangling within his coalition, with the last straw coming when a supreme court verdict on a flagship infrastructure project went against the government. On Sunday Cerar told POP TV that the "results show that we (SMC) remain an important player on the political stage and we will continue fulfilling our role with responsibility". Just under 52 per cent of the 1.7 million Slovenians eligible to vote turned out. Jansa's political career stretches back to the country's struggle for independence from Yugoslavia and has already seen its fair share of drama. In 2013 he was forced to step down from the second term as prime minister over a corruption scandal and ran in the 2014 elections from jail -- the conviction was later overturned. In this campaign, he promised to tackle the thorny issues of healthcare reform and disputes with neighbour Croatia, as well as promising tax cuts. But it was his combative personality, strident anti-immigration rhetoric and alliance with Orban that dominated the closing stages of the campaign. Like right-wing populists elsewhere he has adopted a feisty presence on Twitter and has used it to defend his alliance with Orban. "Thanks to its (migration) policy, Hungary is a safe country while Belgium, due to its wrong policy, isn't," read a recent tweet from Jansa, who first served as prime minister from 2004-08. Last month Orban said a SDS victory "would ensure the survival of the Slovenian people". According to Slovenian media reports, Jansa's media campaign was also boosted by investments totalling some two million euros ($2.3 million) from Hungarian media companies in a TV station and newspaper co-owned by SDS. For the first time in over a decade, the elections took place against a backdrop of strong economic growth rather than financial crisis or recession. But Cerar's government did not reap any political benefit from the turnaround, with his rivals focusing on growing hospital waiting lists and demands for higher pensions and wages and a better business environment. Analysts say that in the near future political instability may well persist, whether under a right-wing, Jansa-led government or one from the centre-left.

Anti-migrant party in front in Slovenia election

An anti-immigration opposition party won Slovenia's parliamentary election on Sunday, taking 25 percent of the vote, according to preliminary results.

However, the centre-right Slovenia Democratic Party (SDS) of former prime minister Janez Jansa may struggle to pull together a government as its hardline stance on immigration has left it short of potential coalition partners.

Jansa acknowledged any post-election negotiations would be difficult. "We will probably have to wait for some time ... before serious talks on a new government will be possible," he told reporters after he cast his own vote.

Voters in a number of eastern members of the European Union - notably Hungary and Poland - have turned to parties which oppose the bloc's plans under which countries would accept asylum seekers under a quota system.

The SDS, supported by Hungary's nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban, is firmly opposed to such quotas and says most of the money used to support them should be diverted to the security forces.

"(Our) party puts Slovenia, Slovenians first," Jansa said after preliminary results came out, adding that the SDS is ready for coalition talks with all other parliamentary parties. "We are open for cooperation, Slovenia is facing times which need cooperation," he said.

Jansa, who was prime minister from 2004 to 2008 and from 2012 to 2013, had said he would cut taxes and speed up privatisation.

He spent six months in prison in 2014 after being convicted on bribery charges related to a 2006 arms deal but was freed after the Constitutional Court ordered a retrial which did not take place because a 10-year time limit expired. Jansa had denied any wrongdoing.

In a highly fragmented ballot, the Adriatic state's 1.7 million-strong electorate was choosing between 25 parties of which nine made it to the parliament.

The result with 99 percent of vote counted put the SDS ahead with 25 seats in the 90-seat parliament. A centre-left party, The List of Marjan Sarec (LMS), was in second place with 12.6 percent of the vote and 13 seats.

LMS leader Marjan Sarec told reporters after preliminary results were released that he expected to get an opportunity to form a government, as most parties had said before the election that they were unlikely to join an SDS-led government.

"If everyone sticks to what they said before the election, we expect to get a chance to form a government," Sarec said.

President Borut Pahor has said he plans to give the first chance to form a government to the party with most seats in parliament after the election. However, the SDS would need to link up with at least two other parties to gain a majority.

Turnout was around 51.5 percent compared with 51.7 percent four years ago.

The election was called in March after centre-left Prime Minister Miro Cerar resigned, weeks before his term was due to end. His departure followed a Supreme Court order for a new referendum on a railway investment project championed by his government.

Cerar's Party of The Modern Centre was in fourth place with just 10 seats.

Jansa said the migration crisis is one of the biggest challenges that the EU faces, adding that it should work to improve conditions in countries where migrants come from.

Analysts say predicting what the future government might look like is hard and some believe another election could not be ruled out.

"There will be trouble in forming a government but still a government led by Jansa with at least one centre-left party in it is the most likely outcome," said Peter Jancic, the editor of a political website Spletni Casopis.

Outgoing Foreign Minister Karl Erjavec, whose centre-left party Desus got five seats, said his party was determined not to join a government led by Jansa, and added: "It is possible that we will have (another) early election."

Slovenia, which narrowly avoided a bailout for its banks in 2013, returned to economic growth in 2014. The outgoing government expects GDP to expand by 5.1 percent this year.

High on the agenda for the next government will be the privatisation of the country's largest bank, Nova Ljubljanska Banka, which the previous administration agreed to sell in exchange for European Commission approval of state aid for it in 2013.

The new cabinet will also be expected to reform an inefficient state health sector and Slovenia's pension system.

The new parliament will have to confirm the next central bank governor, who will also sit on the European Central Bank's Governing Council, after the previous governor Bostjan Jazbec resigned in April to take a position on the EU's Single Resolution Board.

However, the centre-right Slovenia Democratic Party (SDS) of former prime minister Janez Jansa may struggle to pull together a government as its hardline stance on immigration has left it short of potential coalition partners

An anti-immigration opposition party won Slovenia's parliamentary election on Sunday, taking 25 percent of the vote, according to preliminary results. However, the centre-right Slovenia Democratic Party (SDS) of former prime minister Janez Jansa may struggle to pull together a government as its hardline stance on immigration has left it short of potential coalition partners. Jansa acknowledged any post-election negotiations would be difficult. "We will probably have to wait for some time ... before serious talks on a new government will be possible," he told reporters after he cast his own vote. Voters in a number of eastern members of the European Union - notably Hungary and Poland - have turned to parties which oppose the bloc's plans under which countries would accept asylum seekers under a quota system. The SDS, supported by Hungary's nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban, is firmly opposed to such quotas and says most of the money used to support them should be diverted to the security forces. "(Our) party puts Slovenia, Slovenians first," Jansa said after preliminary results came out, adding that the SDS is ready for coalition talks with all other parliamentary parties. "We are open for cooperation, Slovenia is facing times which need cooperation," he said. Jansa, who was prime minister from 2004 to 2008 and from 2012 to 2013, had said he would cut taxes and speed up privatisation. He spent six months in prison in 2014 after being convicted on bribery charges related to a 2006 arms deal but was freed after the Constitutional Court ordered a retrial which did not take place because a 10-year time limit expired. Jansa had denied any wrongdoing. In a highly fragmented ballot, the Adriatic state's 1.7 million-strong electorate was choosing between 25 parties of which nine made it to the parliament. The result with 99 percent of vote counted put the SDS ahead with 25 seats in the 90-seat parliament. A centre-left party, The List of Marjan Sarec (LMS), was in second place with 12.6 percent of the vote and 13 seats. LMS leader Marjan Sarec told reporters after preliminary results were released that he expected to get an opportunity to form a government, as most parties had said before the election that they were unlikely to join an SDS-led government. "If everyone sticks to what they said before the election, we expect to get a chance to form a government," Sarec said. President Borut Pahor has said he plans to give the first chance to form a government to the party with most seats in parliament after the election. However, the SDS would need to link up with at least two other parties to gain a majority. Turnout was around 51.5 percent compared with 51.7 percent four years ago. The election was called in March after centre-left Prime Minister Miro Cerar resigned, weeks before his term was due to end. His departure followed a Supreme Court order for a new referendum on a railway investment project championed by his government. Cerar's Party of The Modern Centre was in fourth place with just 10 seats. Jansa said the migration crisis is one of the biggest challenges that the EU faces, adding that it should work to improve conditions in countries where migrants come from. Analysts say predicting what the future government might look like is hard and some believe another election could not be ruled out. "There will be trouble in forming a government but still a government led by Jansa with at least one centre-left party in it is the most likely outcome," said Peter Jancic, the editor of a political website Spletni Casopis. Outgoing Foreign Minister Karl Erjavec, whose centre-left party Desus got five seats, said his party was determined not to join a government led by Jansa, and added: "It is possible that we will have (another) early election." Slovenia, which narrowly avoided a bailout for its banks in 2013, returned to economic growth in 2014. The outgoing government expects GDP to expand by 5.1 percent this year. High on the agenda for the next government will be the privatisation of the country's largest bank, Nova Ljubljanska Banka, which the previous administration agreed to sell in exchange for European Commission approval of state aid for it in 2013. The new cabinet will also be expected to reform an inefficient state health sector and Slovenia's pension system. The new parliament will have to confirm the next central bank governor, who will also sit on the European Central Bank's Governing Council, after the previous governor Bostjan Jazbec resigned in April to take a position on the EU's Single Resolution Board.

Anti-immigration party wins Slovenia elections

Slovenians vote Sunday in an early election in which veteran right-wing leader Janez Jansa looks set to emerge on top after consolidating his lead in the last days of the campaign.

The last poll published by the Dnevnik newspaper had Jansa's SDS on just over 25 per cent, well clear of its nearest rivals the Social Democrats, who were on 12 per cent.

However, with more than 40 per cent of those surveyed saying they either hadn't decided or didn't want to reveal their preference, a shock result can't be ruled out.

Jansa's combative personality, strident anti-immigration rhetoric and alliance with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban dominated the closing stages of the campaign.

In the final TV debate on Thursday Jansa effectively traded barbs with comedian-turned-politician Marjan Sarec.

Sarec's "anti-system" LMS party is on 11.9 per cent in Dnevnik's poll, a weaker showing than earlier in the campaign but one which could yet leave him well placed to play kingmaker if borne out.

The SMC party of outgoing Prime Minister Miro Cerar -- whose shock resignation in March prompted Sunday's poll -- is on just 9.3 per cent.

Cerar threw in the towel after months of being buffeted by public-sector strikes and internal wrangling within his coalition, with the last straw coming when a supreme court verdict on a flagship infrastructure project went against the government.

Some 1.7 million Slovenians are eligible to vote for 90 members of parliament.

Polling stations will be open between 7am local time (0500 GMT) and 7pm, with the first results expected on Sunday evening.

Fear of migrants

Even if Jansa's SDS party comes out ahead, he may still find it difficult to put together a majority in parliament.

The parties in the outgoing coalition -- the Social Democrats, the SMC and the pensioners' party DESUS -- have all ruled out collaborating with the SDS.

Sarec also recently told AFP that "spreading fear (of migrants) and getting the prime minister of a neighbouring country (Orban) involved in our elections has crossed all red lines and I and our members do not see ourselves in such a constellation".

Last month Orban took part in an SDS party convention and said an SDS victory "would ensure the survival of the Slovenian people".

According to Slovenian media reports, Jansa's media campaign has also been boosted by investments to the tune of two million euros from Hungarian media companies in a TV station and newspaper co-owned by SDS.

Sarec and other opponents say this may be a violation of campaign finance laws but SDS insist the investments are above board.

Instability ahead?

Jansa's political career stretches back to the country's struggle for independence from Yugoslavia and has already seen its fair share of drama. In 2013 he was forced to step down as prime minister over a corruption scandal and competed in the 2014 elections from jail.

Like rightwing leaders elsewhere he has adopted a combative presence on Twitter and has used it to defend his alliance with Orban.

"Thanks to its (migration) policy, Hungary is a safe country while Belgium, due to its wrong policy, isn't," read a recent Jansa tweet.

Almost 500,000 migrants crossed Slovenia in late 2015 and early 2016 along the so-called Balkan route.

During the campaign, Jansa effectively evoked the memory of the crisis to his advantage despite the fact that only a tiny fraction of the migrants stayed, with most continuing to northern Europe.

For the first time in over a decade, elections will take place against a backdrop of strong economic growth rather than of financial crisis or recession.

But Cerar's government has not reaped any political benefit from improved economic growth, with the campaign instead focusing on growing hospital waiting lists, demands for higher pensions and wages and for a better environment for businesses.

Analysts say that while parties may prove more open to co-operation once the results are counted, in the near future political instability may well continue, whether under a right-wing, Jansa-led government or one from the centre-left.

The last poll published by the Dnevnik newspaper had Jansa's SDS on just over 25 percent, well clear of its nearest rivals the Social Democrats, who were on 12 per cent

Slovenians vote Sunday in an early election in which veteran right-wing leader Janez Jansa looks set to emerge on top after consolidating his lead in the last days of the campaign. The last poll published by the Dnevnik newspaper had Jansa's SDS on just over 25 per cent, well clear of its nearest rivals the Social Democrats, who were on 12 per cent. However, with more than 40 per cent of those surveyed saying they either hadn't decided or didn't want to reveal their preference, a shock result can't be ruled out. Jansa's combative personality, strident anti-immigration rhetoric and alliance with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban dominated the closing stages of the campaign. In the final TV debate on Thursday Jansa effectively traded barbs with comedian-turned-politician Marjan Sarec. Sarec's "anti-system" LMS party is on 11.9 per cent in Dnevnik's poll, a weaker showing than earlier in the campaign but one which could yet leave him well placed to play kingmaker if borne out. The SMC party of outgoing Prime Minister Miro Cerar -- whose shock resignation in March prompted Sunday's poll -- is on just 9.3 per cent. Cerar threw in the towel after months of being buffeted by public-sector strikes and internal wrangling within his coalition, with the last straw coming when a supreme court verdict on a flagship infrastructure project went against the government. Some 1.7 million Slovenians are eligible to vote for 90 members of parliament. Polling stations will be open between 7am local time (0500 GMT) and 7pm, with the first results expected on Sunday evening. Fear of migrants Even if Jansa's SDS party comes out ahead, he may still find it difficult to put together a majority in parliament. The parties in the outgoing coalition -- the Social Democrats, the SMC and the pensioners' party DESUS -- have all ruled out collaborating with the SDS. Sarec also recently told AFP that "spreading fear (of migrants) and getting the prime minister of a neighbouring country (Orban) involved in our elections has crossed all red lines and I and our members do not see ourselves in such a constellation". Last month Orban took part in an SDS party convention and said an SDS victory "would ensure the survival of the Slovenian people". According to Slovenian media reports, Jansa's media campaign has also been boosted by investments to the tune of two million euros from Hungarian media companies in a TV station and newspaper co-owned by SDS. Sarec and other opponents say this may be a violation of campaign finance laws but SDS insist the investments are above board. Instability ahead? Jansa's political career stretches back to the country's struggle for independence from Yugoslavia and has already seen its fair share of drama. In 2013 he was forced to step down as prime minister over a corruption scandal and competed in the 2014 elections from jail. Like rightwing leaders elsewhere he has adopted a combative presence on Twitter and has used it to defend his alliance with Orban. "Thanks to its (migration) policy, Hungary is a safe country while Belgium, due to its wrong policy, isn't," read a recent Jansa tweet. Almost 500,000 migrants crossed Slovenia in late 2015 and early 2016 along the so-called Balkan route. During the campaign, Jansa effectively evoked the memory of the crisis to his advantage despite the fact that only a tiny fraction of the migrants stayed, with most continuing to northern Europe. For the first time in over a decade, elections will take place against a backdrop of strong economic growth rather than of financial crisis or recession. But Cerar's government has not reaped any political benefit from improved economic growth, with the campaign instead focusing on growing hospital waiting lists, demands for higher pensions and wages and for a better environment for businesses. Analysts say that while parties may prove more open to co-operation once the results are counted, in the near future political instability may well continue, whether under a right-wing, Jansa-led government or one from the centre-left.

Slovenia heads to the polls in early election

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