Freedom Movement and Democrats Top EU Election Ballot in Slovenia

The National Electoral Commission in Ljubljana held a draw on Tuesday to determine the order of candidate lists for the upcoming European Parliament election on June 9. The Freedom Movement and Democrats topped the ballot in a crucial election that could impact the current ruling liberal coalition.

Why this matters: The outcome of this election will not only shape Slovenia's representation in the European Parliament but also have broader implications for the country's political landscape and its stance on key EU policies. A shift in power could also influence the balance of power within the European Parliament, affecting the direction of EU-wide decisions.

The Freedom Movement, led by Prime Minister Robert Golob, is facing its first European election test since winning the 2022 national election. However, the party has seen its support decline from 34% to lower levels in recent months. It has also faced difficulties assembling its list of candidates due to internal conflicts between several factions.

Despite the challenges, the Freedom Movement revealed its pick for EU Commissioner, former president of the Court of Audit Tomaž Vesel. The party aims to secure a strong position within the Renew Europe group in the European Parliament.

The Social Democrats, another member of the ruling coalition, have also seen their popularity decline due to recent corruption scandals involving its former Minister of Justice. The party is working to repair its reputation ahead of the election.

The Left Party (Levica) has struggled to differentiate itself from the centrist liberal parties in the governing coalition since joining in 2022. Levica has provided uncritical support for the government's neoliberal and militaristic policies, leading to a decrease in its popularity and the defection of a significant part of its left wing in March.

Levica officially announced its list of candidates on May 7, with Nataša Sukič leading the party into the election. Key figures such as Luka Mesec, Asta Vrečko, and Miha Kordiš are notably absent from the list. The party aims to secure representation within The Left group in the European Parliament and the Party of the European Left.

The June 9 European Parliament election in Slovenia will serve as a crucial test for the ruling liberal coalition. The Freedom Movement and Democrats topping the ballot could impact the balance of power, as the parties navigate internal challenges and declining popularity. The outcome will determine Slovenia's representation in key European Parliament groups and shape the country's political landscape in the coming years.

Key Takeaways

• Slovenia's European Parliament election is on June 9, with Freedom Movement and Democrats topping the ballot.
• The election will impact Slovenia's representation in the EU and its stance on key policies.
• Freedom Movement's support has declined from 34% due to internal conflicts and difficulties assembling its candidate list.
• Social Democrats face challenges due to corruption scandals, while Left Party struggles to differentiate itself from centrist liberal parties.
• The election outcome will shape Slovenia's political landscape and influence the balance of power within the European Parliament.