The Slovenian Parliament on Thursday confirmed the appointment of the country's new centre-left minority government led by Prime Minister Marjan Sarec.

Sarec’s cabinet, which was voted in with 45 votes in favour and 34 against, while 11 were abstained or were absent, in the 90-seat parliament, is made up of five smaller centre left and liberal parties. Sarec, a newcomer on the national political landscape who ran on a centrist platform, is a former actor and comedian, and previously served as mayor of the small town of Kamnik north of Ljubljana. Aged 40, he will be the youngest Prime Minister in Slovenia’s history.

The government, which includes two former prime ministers in its ranks – Alenka Bratusek and Miro Cerar – was formed after protracted negotiations, as the centre-right Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS) led by Janez Jansa, failed to form a majority despite winning the most seats in the election in June.

Although the five coalition parties hold 43 seats combined in the 90-seat assembly, the coalition will also be supported by 9 MPs of the leftist Ljevica party under a special cooperation protocol. Ljevica abstained from Thursday’s vote on ministers.

The formal transfer of authority between Sarec and outgoing Prime Minister Miro Cerar is planned for Friday. Cerar will take up office of foreign minister in the new cabinet, replacing Karl Erjavec, who will become the new defence minister.

Analysts say no major changes should be expected in the new government’s foreign policy. Cerar has said on Thursday ahead of the confirmation vote that he would continue insisting on the implementation of the 2017 border arbitration ruling in the border dispute with Croatia, which Croatia does not recognise – but that he will also remains open for dialogue and good neighbourly relations.

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