Slovenia will hold parliamentary elections on March 22, 2024, as announced by President Natasa Pirc Musar on Tuesday. The upcoming vote represents a critical political test for Prime Minister Robert Golob’s liberal coalition government, which faces significant opposition from right-wing populist factions.
President Musar emphasized the importance of electoral integrity, stating she would actively monitor disinformation campaigns and potential foreign manipulation attempts. “I want the election to be conducted fairly, and I will pay attention to disinformation and manipulation, including from abroad,” she declared, while simultaneously advocating for “respectful, responsible and tolerant communication during the election campaign.”
The election will determine the composition of Slovenia’s 90-seat National Assembly, with the outcome potentially reshaping the nation’s political trajectory. The Alpine EU member state, which gained independence from Yugoslavia in 1991 and joined both NATO and the European Union in 2004, has approximately 2 million citizens.
Prime Minister Golob’s administration, which assumed power in 2022 after defeating populist predecessor Janez Jansa, has pursued several controversial policies. These include Slovenia’s official recognition of Palestinian statehood, a move that drew both international attention and domestic criticism. Opposition parties have additionally accused the government of economic mismanagement and slowing economic growth.
The government recently suffered a political setback when Slovenian voters rejected assisted dying legislation in a November referendum. The proposed bill would have permitted terminally ill patients to legally end their lives under specific circumstances.
According to constitutional procedures, the newly elected parliament must convene within 20 days following the election. President Musar will then have an additional 30 days to appoint a prime minister-designate capable of securing parliamentary majority support.