Slovenia's Golob fails to form gov, opening door to right

Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob, whose party secured a razor-thin majority in parliamentary elections last month, today said he had failed to form a coalition.

His announcement opens the door for runner-up Janez Jansa, an admirer of US President Donald Trump, to seek to form a coalition in the EU member state which has a populatino of two million.

"We are looking forward to our work in the opposition," the liberal Mr Golob, 59, told reporters after meeting the president, adding that he had not found a partner among centre-right parties for a governing coalition.

Mr Golob's liberals won 29 seats last month, while the conservatives of three-time premier Mr Jansa got 28 seats in the 90-seat parliament.

Mr Jansa, 67, has publicly rejected any coalition talks.

Today, he reiterated that he was not in a rush to form a government but was seeking to do what is "the most ideal for the country".

"The SDS (Slovenian Democratic Party) is not forming any government at the moment," Mr Jansa said.

"This week we will concentrate on the constitution of the parliament, since that is on the agenda," he said, adding that, if needed, his party was "ready for new elections tomorrow".

Earlier this month, the parliament's inaugural session elected a lawmaker from an anti-establishment party as speaker with the backing of Mr Jansa's conservatives and an ally.

President Natasa Pirc Musar has to propose a prime minister designate to parliament within 30 days of its 10 April inaugural session.

If the candidate does not get a majority, the law sets a 10-day deadline for parties to propose a new candidate.