Ljubljana, Slovenia: Voters in Slovenia gave a victory to a populist, anti-immigration party led by a firebrand former prime minister in parliamentary elections that tilted another European country to the right. The Slovenian Democratic Party, led by the two-time former prime minister Janez Jansa drew nearly a quarter of the vote, according to the country's National Election Commission.
Right-wing leader Janez Jansa says immigration is one of Europe's biggest challenges.
Photo: AP"Those who cast their ballots for us have elected a party that will put Slovenia first," Jansa told supporters at the party's headquarters in Ljubljana after the result was announced.
With Sunday's vote, Slovenia, a European Union member since 2004, could line up politically with Hungary, which re-elected the right-wing populist Victor Orban as prime minister in April, and Austria, where a far-right party has emerged as a strong political force. Jansa has closely allied himself with Orban.
But Jansa could struggle to form a government as most party leaders have rejected the possibility of joining a coalition with him, raising the possibility of an extended period of uncertainty and a new election if coalition talks are deadlocked.
In keeping with his campaign theme, he said Sunday that migration was the biggest challenge facing Slovenia and Europe.