In the Slovenian presidential election on Sunday evening, conservative ex-Foreign Minister Anze Logar saw a clear victory. After counting two-thirds of the votes, Logar stood at 33.9 percent. Political career changer Natasa Pirc Musar got 26.9 percent of the vote and should therefore have a spot in the second round, as MEP Milan Brglez, who came in third, only got 15.7 percent.
Although Brglez did not want to give up yet, Logar and Pirc Musar congratulated each other on entering the second round. Logar expressed hope for a “substantive discussion” for the second round on November 13. Pirc Musar stressed that she wanted to stand up for the rule of law and human rights, openly alluding to the government of Prime Minister Janez Jansa, who was removed from office in April and to which Logar belonged as foreign minister.
Damper for Prime Minister
Brglez’s poor performance is a huge political setback for Liberal government leader Robert Golob, who had sent the ex-parliament leader for his freedom movement (GS) into the race. Golob did not want to hear about a defeat in a first reaction. “We’ll get to know the loser in the second round, and I already know who it will be,” he said, looking at Logar. Whoever wins from the centre-left camp is “less important”.
Pirc Musar and Brglez fought hard for left-wing and liberal voters. The former speaker of parliament received the support of the Freedom Movement (GS) and the co-governing Social Democrats of Foreign Affairs Minister Tanja Fajon. Former information officer Pirc Musar took part in the race with the support of ex-presidents Milan Kucan and Danilo Türk. The incumbent Borut Pahor was banned from standing after two terms in office.
Seven candidates in the running
A total of seven candidates ran for president, including Janez Cigler Kralj of the Christian Democrat opposition party New Slovenia (NSi) and Miha Kordis of the co-ruling left. The anti-corona measures party Resni.ca sent the doctor Sabina Sencar in the race and the green party Vesna ran for the mayor of the town, Vladimir Prebilic. He was able to achieve a respectable success: with 10.3 percent he finished in 4th place.
Participation in the elections was higher. At 4 p.m., it was 35 percent. Five years ago, 32.02 percent had voted on this point. By the end of the election at 7 p.m., it had risen to 44.24 percent.
Pirc Musar leads in polls
Polls gave Pirc Musar the better chance of winning in a second round against Logar. The party friend of Prime Minister Janez Jansa, who was removed from office in April, had gained stature especially during the Slovenian EU Council presidency last year. In the popularity ranking, Logar is third behind outgoing President Borut Pahor and Prime Minister Golob. However, the Slovenian electorate is considered to be predominantly left-liberal. Moreover, in the past three decades, no right-wing politician had ever attained the highest office of state.
Ex-president criticized for being too quiet
The former Social Democratic head of government, Pahor, has been repeatedly criticized, especially from the left, for failing to take a position on important domestic political issues. He also said of himself that he did not want to be a moral authority. Prime Minister Golob explained at the vote that he would like a more active head of state to act as a moral authority. Many had expected that in the past two years, Golob said, given the controversial tenure of right-wing conservative ex-Prime Minister Janez Jansa.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
