**Slovenia Heads to Polls in Closely Contested Election** Slovenia is set to hold a hotly contested election on Sunday, with incumbent Prime Minister Robert Golob's centre-left coalition facing off against the populist right-wing Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS) led by former Prime Minister Janez Jansa. According to opinion polls, the outcome is far from certain, with the two main parties neck and neck. The results will likely depend on the performance of smaller parties and their ability to form coalitions. Golob's domestic agenda has focused on reform and welfare, with a mix of social policy, green transition, and institutional reforms. In contrast, Jansa has promised to introduce tax breaks for businesses and cut funding for welfare programs. **Foreign Policy Divides the Nation** The election will also determine Slovenia's stance on foreign policy, particularly its views on Israel and Palestine. Slovenia's government has been a vocal critic of Israel's actions in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, whereas Jansa is a staunch supporter of Israel. This divide has been evident in recent years. In May 2024, Slovenia recognised Palestinian statehood, and in May 2025, President Natasa Pirc Musar called on the European Union to take stronger action against Israel, condemning "the genocide" in Gaza. Later that year, Slovenia banned far-right Israeli cabinet ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich from entering the country and became the first EU nation to ban all weapons trade with Israel over its actions in Gaza. Slovenia has also supported its International Criminal Court Judge Beti Hohler, who was sanctioned by the US for her role in issuing arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. In a letter to EU heads of state on March 13, Golob and Musar expressed concern that Europe's refusal to condemn the sanctions indicated a prioritisation of economic consequences over "a principled defence of judicial independence and international justice". Nika Kovac, a Slovenian sociologist and cofounder of the 8th of March Institute, a non-governmental organisation, noted that Slovenia's stance on Israel-Palestine has been shaped by its own experiences of war and occupation. Slovenia's government has also been critical of Israel's actions, introducing a ban on imports of goods produced in the occupied Palestinian territory. As the country heads to the polls, the diverging views on Israel and Palestine will likely remain a key issue.