Slovenia’s parliament has approved changes to the country’s government law that would reduce the number of ministries from 19 to 14, a move that could shape the formation of a new ruling majority.
The amendments, proposed by Janez Janša’s Slovenian Democratic Party, were adopted with 49 votes in favor and four against. Although the new structure will only take effect once a new government is formed, the vote has already become a strong political signal amid ongoing efforts to build a parliamentary majority.
The proposed model aims to streamline the work of the future cabinet by merging some portfolios and removing certain ministries. Supporters argue that a smaller government would improve efficiency, reduce administrative costs and create a clearer decision-making structure.
The amendments were backed by SDS, NSi, SLS, Focus, the Democrats and Resnica. Their joint support is being interpreted as a possible indication of a future coalition alignment on the right. In Slovenia’s 90-seat parliament, 46 votes are needed to form a majority, meaning the parties behind the proposal are now moving closer to the threshold required to take power.
The political process remains uncertain after President Nataša Pirc Musar declined to nominate a candidate for prime minister, saying that no political option had demonstrated stable majority support. Her decision effectively shifts the next stage of the process to parliament, where lawmakers will have the opportunity to propose a candidate themselves.
At the same time, caretaker Prime Minister Robert Golob has acknowledged that he has not managed to secure enough backing for a new government, despite his Freedom Movement winning the largest number of seats in the previous election.
Slovenia is now entering a decisive period of negotiations, with the vote on the government restructuring law suggesting that the foundations for a new majority may already be taking shape.
