PM ousted over assets scandal

Slovenia ousted prime minister Janez Jansa last night, after a corruption scandal sank his government as it sought to ease an…

Slovenia ousted prime minister Janez Jansa last night, after a corruption scandal sank his government as it sought to ease an economic crisis and avoid a European Union bailout.

Mr Jansa’s centre-right coalition crumbled amid allegations that he had failed to declare more than €200,000 worth of private assets.

Parliament voted 55-33 to dismiss Mr Jansa’s year-old coalition and mandated opposition Positive Slovenia leader Alenka Bratusek to form a new government that would make her the ex-Yugoslav republic’s first female premier.

The centre-left finance expert faces the task of halting the Alpine state’s fall from post-communist rising star to the euro zone’s latest bailout candidate.

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Ms Bratusek’s chosen cabinet must secure parliamentary approval within a fortnight. That may be difficult given disagreement with potential coalition partners on how to revive Slovenia’s economy

Daniel McLaughlin

Daniel McLaughlin

Daniel McLaughlin is a contributor to The Irish Times from central and eastern Europe