By: Nova24tv
Based on the votes counted so far, the Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS) is the winner of the European Parliament elections with four elected candidates. They are followed by the Gibanje Svoboda with two seats, and Vesna, NSi, and SD each with one elected representative.
The Slovenian Democratic Party has won the European Parliament elections for the fourth consecutive time. This victory strengthens the SDS team with two additional MEPs. Previously, Romana Tomc and Milan Zver represented SDS in the European Parliament, both of whom have been re-elected. Additionally, the surprises of this election are the young Zala Tomašič and MP Branko Grims.
From the Gibanje Svoboda, Irena Joveva and Marjan Šarec will take seats in the European Parliament. Additionally, Kočevje Mayor Vladimir Prebilič and NSi leader Matej Tonin are expected to become MEPs. The Social Democrats barely surpassed SLS.
Janša: Historic defeat of the left
Janez Janša thanked the voters for recognising the importance of these elections despite the myriad of referendum questions. According to Janša, the victory of SDS sends a message to the current coalition to reflect similarly to French President Emmanuel Macron, who called for preliminary elections, and Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, who recently resigned. Both come from the same political group as the Gibanje Svoboda, “so we believe they will consider the actions of their senior colleagues in the EU”.
The result of the European elections also indicates a significant defeat for the coalition. “If these results hold, the coalition will get only two out of nine seats. The transitional left has never experienced such a defeat. I hope this message is received,” he emphasised, accusing the coalition during the campaign of imposing issues irrelevant to Slovenian citizens and the future of the EU, drastically violating parliamentary rules, and manipulating the use of repressive bodies.
Janša pointed out that the current coalition has fulfilled few promises during its term, with most commitments remaining either unfulfilled or only at the stage of preparatory discussions, aside from ideological issues. According to him, Slovenia needs to reflect on this.
Janša assessed that SDS assembled a strong list of candidates for the European elections. He stated that all candidates signed a commitment to return to Slovenia if SDS forms the government in the future. “Given this result, that is a significant possibility,” he explained, adding, “Thank you, Slovenia, for being able to distinguish the wheat from the chaff”.
In Janša’s view, Europe is not shifting to the right but is instead achieving balance. Preliminary unofficial data shows that the EPP, to which SDS belongs, received most of the votes. “This party will form a coalition slightly to the left and slightly to the right of itself,” he said, stressing that the EU needs a sensible green policy and a serious approach to security issues.
SDS will comment on the results of the referendum outcomes throughout the day.
Additionally, SDS plans to file a complaint with the National Election Commission, claiming that some polling stations during early voting were illegally organised outside the electoral district. Janša stated that they do not expect drastic action from the Commission but do expect that the election law will be respected in future elections.