Independent Pirc-Musar becomes president of Slovenia

In Slovenia, Natasa Pirc-Musar became the first woman elected president of the country. The non-partisan, liberal career-changer won from 55 percent of the vote to 54 percent in Sunday’s runoff. Conservative former foreign minister and senior politician Anze Logar, who won the first round, was just under 46 percent.

“We must come together to do something good for our beautiful homeland,” Pirc-Musar told reporters when the first results came in. Melania Trump’s former lawyer says she wants to be the “women’s voice” and “moral authority” in Slovenia in her new role.

A newcomer to politics, Pirc-Musar spent ten years as Information Commissioner for data protection and greater transparency by authorities. Before that, she made a name for herself as a television presenter. He founded his own law firm in 2016. When Melania Trump became First Lady of the United States, Pirc Musar prevented companies from promoting the name of the old Slovenian model in her name.

“The president must have an idea”

Your opponent, Logar, is a party mate of former right-wing populist Prime Minister Janez Jansa but ran as an independent candidate. During the election campaign, the 46-year-old presented himself as a “moderate” politician who wanted to bring the country together.

The President of Slovenia has predominantly representative duties. But during the election campaign, Pirch-Musar told the AFP news agency, “A head of state cannot be impartial, he must have an opinion” and must be a “moral authority”, explaining that he will give more weight to the office.

Outgoing President Borut Pahor was often criticized for his passive attitude towards former Prime Minister Jansa. After two terms in office, he is no longer allowed to run.

During the election campaign, Pirç-Musar faced allegations regarding his wife’s lucrative business activities at home and abroad. She accuses her opponents of brutally attacking her, especially because she is a woman.

(AFP)