Slovenia faces parliamentary elections next weekend, and analysts are calling it the most significant moment since the country joined the EU in 2004.

Prime Minister Robert Golob leads a coalition with the Social Democrats and the Left, which held 53 of 90 seats. However, he has lost political capital since his historic 2022 win when he secured 34.5%.

Conservative veteran Janez Janša, a three-time former prime minister, leads the opposition. He has embraced right-wing populism, an anti-immigrant stance, and maintains close ties with Orban and Fico.

A February poll showed SDS at 30.9% versus Freedom Movement at 22.4%, but March polls suggest the gap has narrowed to roughly 2 percentage points. Brussels is watching closely.