Political newcomer Golob beats Slovenian PM Jansa in divisive polls

In Slovenia, political newcomer liberal Robert Golob has defeated three-time prime minister, populist conservative Janez Janša, in a country split by bitter political divisions over the rule of law.  After counting of the ballots, state election authorities said that the around two million people, Freedom Movement (GS) stood at 34.5 per cent of the vote compared to 23.6 per cent for Jansa’s Slovenian Democratic Party. Golob’s Freedom Movement (GS), which he launched only in January this year, has built on anger with Jansa’s regime in the former Yugoslav state.The opposition accuses Jansa of having tried to undermine democratic institutions and press freedoms since he returned to power in 2020. Jansa, 63, an admirer of US ex-president Donald Trump and an ally of right-wing Prime Minister Viktor Orban of Hungary, had campaigned on promises of stability. “Ahead of the new government there are many challenges, but during our mandate we have set a solid ground for a peaceful navigation,” he said late Sunday. 

Jansa already served as prime minister between 2004 and 2008, and 2012-2013. Only a year into his second term as premier however, he was forced out by a corruption scandal. The results mean that the Freedom Movement, a newcomer in the election, appears set to form the next government in a coalition with smaller leftist groups. The party leader addressed supporters via a video message from his home because he has COVID-19. Robert Golob told the cheering crowd at the party headquarters that Monday is a new day and serious work lies ahead