Slovenia Political Parties Nominate New PM

Posted January 25th, 2012 at 9:05 am (UTC-5)
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Five Slovenian center-right parties have reached a deal naming Janez Jansa as the eurozone nation's new prime minister.

The coalition, which makes up 50 of the 90 seats in parliament, named Jansa to the post Wednesday, on a platform of improving the country's economy.

Slovenia's president, Danilo Turk, has refused to back Jansa, saying he lacks legitimacy for the post because of an ongoing corruption trial. Jansa is accused of taking bribes to secure a deal with a Finnish arms company.

Jansa heads the Democratic Party and served previously as prime minister from 2004 to 2008. Despite the president's objections, he is expected to be confirmed by parliament in a vote Saturday.

The coalition deal comes just two weeks after parliament rejected the appointment of Zoran Jankovic, whose party won the December 4 election, but without enough votes to form a majority coalition.

Slovenia is suffering from major economic problems, including a huge public debt and high unemployment.