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Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob, whose party secured a razor-thin majority in parliamentary elections last month, said on Monday he had failed to form a ruling coalition.
His announcement opened the door for runner-up Janez Janša to seek to form his own government in the Alpine EU member of 2 million.
“We are looking forward to our work in the opposition,” the liberal Golob, 59, told reporters after meeting the president, adding that he had not found a partner among centre-right parties for a governing coalition.
Golob’s party won 29 seats last month, while the conservatives of three-time Premier Janša got 28 seats in the 90-seat parliament.
Janša, 67, has publicly rejected any coalition talks.
On Monday, Janša reiterated he was not in a rush to form a government while seeking to do what is “the most ideal for the country,” together with his Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS).
“The SDS is not forming any government at the moment,” 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, backed by Janša’s conservatives and an ally.
President Nataša 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.
Video editor • Lucy Davalou