As Slovenia’s political landscape heats up, expectations are growing for early elections in 2025. Anze Logar, former foreign minister and member of the main opposition party, the right-wing Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS), has confirmed that he anticipates elections around this time next year, amid signs of instability in the ruling coalition.
Regular elections are due in 2026. Robert Golob, leader of the Freedom Movement, became prime minister of Slovenia in June 2022, following his party’s victory over the SDS in the general election.
In three weeks, Logar will formally launch his new political party, Democrats, at a congress in Maribor, following his departure from the SDS after 25 years.
Logar’s announcement has stirred political speculation, particularly following recent claims by SDS leader Janez Jansa. Jansa accused Logar of timing his departure from the SDS and the formation of the new party to weaken the SDS.
According to Jansa, early elections are being planned for April 2025. However, Logar expects that snap elections could take place in the autumn of next year.
Dismissing Jansa’s allegations as “conspiracy theories”, in an interview with N1 Slovenia, Logar explained that his decision to leave the SDS was driven by a desire for change, having felt the need to pursue a different political direction.
He noted, “The decision was not made in haste; it was the result of a long period of reflection.”
The prospect of early elections has been fuelled by growing tensions within the ruling coalition. The recent withdrawal from the referendum on Krsko’s second unit highlighted divisions, with coalition partners breaking ranks and publicly opposing Golob’s directives.
Logar pointed out that the ruling coalition’s lack of coordination is creating cracks in the government. “We’re witnessing a shift where coalition partners are no longer aligned, marking the start of a phase where public disagreements will increase,” he stated.
Logar envisions a more dynamic political environment if early elections occur, with a reshaped National Assembly and more electoral choices. He believes the current composition of the parliament, with its five parties, limits political flexibility and that new combinations will emerge after the next election.
In recent years, Golob has presented himself as a reformer committed to upholding the rule of law and the role of the Constitutional Court, according to Logar. However, he said that Golob’s administration has faced criticism for governing by decree and for not adhering to constitutional principles on certain issues, including judicial salaries and legislative proposals.