LJUBLJANA, May 22 (Xinhua) -- Slovenia's National Assembly on Friday appointed Janez Jansa as the country's prime minister-designate with 51 votes in favour and 36 against, according to the Slovenian News Agency (STA).
Ahead of the parliamentary vote, Jansa, leader of the Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS), said the new coalition government's priorities would include boosting Slovenia's development and prosperity, combating corruption and organised crime, decentralising the country and cutting bureaucracy.
Jansa now has 15 days to submit a list of ministers to parliament for confirmation.
In the March 22 general election, the SDS won 28 seats in the 90-member parliament, finishing second behind the Freedom Movement of outgoing Prime Minister Robert Golob, which secured 29 seats. Golob failed to gather enough support to form a new governing coalition.
Earlier this week, the SDS signed a coalition agreement with four parties -- New Slovenia, the Slovenian People's Party, Fokus and the Democrats -- giving the new government a combined 43 seats in parliament.
Another party, Resni.ca, which holds five seats, declined to formally join the coalition but pledged support for the government on major decisions.
Jansa previously served as Slovenia's prime minister from 2004 to 2008, from 2012 to 2013, and from 2020 to 2022.
