Slovenia names liberal leader Robert Golob as PM designate

Slovenia’s president has formally appointed the leader of a liberal-green party that won last month’s election as the country’s new prime minister designate.

President Borut Pahor’s announcement paves the way for the formation of a new government in Slovenia in the coming weeks.

Slovenian politicians are set to vote on the appointment of Robert Golob as the prime minister designate on Wednesday.

A separate vote will be needed later to confirm Mr Golob’s government.

Mr Golob, a former business executive and a newcomer in politics, said he aims to have a coalition government in place by mid-June.

Mr Golob’s Freedom Movement won an overwhelming majority of seats at the April 24 vote, defeating the right-wing Prime Minister Janez Jansa and his Slovenian Democratic Party.

Mr Golob has promised to reform and modernise Slovenia’s state institutions and boost social justice.

His Freedom Movement is set to form an alliance with other centre-left groups.

Mr Jansa faced accusations that he turned the small European Union country toward right-wing populism while in office.

He has also faced EU scrutiny over allegations of pressure on the media and the takeover of state institutions by loyalists.

Mr Jansa has denied the accusations.