Campaign officially starts ahead of November local elections

Local election campaigns have officially begun in Slovenia, with the most intense competition expected in major cities such as Ljubljana and Maribor. The local elections are set for 15 November, with mayoral run-offs scheduled for two weeks later in municipalities where no candidate secures more than 50 percent of the vote. In Ljubljana, the campaign promises to be highly contested, with current mayor Zoran Janković facing several high-profile opponents. Among them are Luka Mesec, co-leader of the Left party, and Anton Rop, a former prime minister. Also running is Klemen Boštjančič from the Freedom Movement, though some analysts view him as more of a symbolic candidate due to the party’s historical support for Janković. The ruling Democratic Party (SDS) has nominated architect Aleš Vrhovec, a relatively unknown figure, as its candidate. Despite the crowded left field, some observers suggest Vrhovec might succeed in uniting the center-right vote and advancing to the run-off. In Maribor, the second-largest city, the race is wide open following the decision of outgoing mayor Saša Arsenović not to seek re-election. Several notable figures are competing, including Andrej Bauman, an independent businessman, Bor Greiner, a well-known local radio host, and Katja Koren, a former Olympic medalist and SDS candidate supported by all right-wing parties in the current government. Other contenders include Matevž Frangež, representing the Social Democrats, and Irena Dolenc, backed by three center-right parties. Polls have not yet been conducted, but local media highlight these candidates as the most serious contenders. In Kranj, two-term mayor Matjaž Rakovec, a member of the Social Democrats, faces off against Janez Černe, a former deputy mayor who was removed from office after an internal conflict. On the right, the strongest candidate appears to be Karin Planinšek, a 27-year-old social media influencer and prominent figure within the SDS. Another potential challenger is Irena Dolenc, who runs with the support of three center-right parties. In Celje, the third-largest city by population, incumbent Mitja Kovač, a former Left politician now running independently, challenges Boško Šrot, a six-term mayor who previously defeated Kovač. Šrot is running on his own list but has received backing from the SDS, a party he recently joined. In Ljubljana, Aleš Primc, a candidate from the party Glas za otroke in družine, announced his candidacy and emphasized his commitment to residents living in neighborhoods often overlooked by politics. He highlighted issues such as access to housing, better traffic strategies, and improved access to personal doctors and pediatricians. Primc also launched a campaign initiative called "Clean Ljubljana," conducting clean-up activities in the city. Anton Rop, another candidate for mayor of Ljubljana, stated that the city suffers from an inefficient housing supply, with record-high prices and virtually no accessibility for young families, elderly citizens, and socially vulnerable groups. He proposed a special program combining various forms of transportation and suggested exploring the introduction of trams. Rop also criticized the lack of effective healthcare provision in Ljubljana, noting that nearly 30,000 people lack a family doctor and 2,700 children lack a pediatrician. He claimed that democracy does not function properly in the capital, stating that the city is effectively managed from a single location, a single office, and a single family connected to construction lobbies. He pledged to fundamentally change this situation. Other candidates for the mayoral position in Ljubljana include Marko Koprivc from the SD, who has made controversial statements regarding the effectiveness and friendliness of the Yugoslav communist regime, and Aleksandar Repić, an online influencer who has struggled to gather enough signatures for his candidacy. The campaign in Ljubljana is expected to remain highly competitive, with multiple candidates vying for the mayoral seat. The outcome of the election could significantly impact the political landscape of the city and potentially influence the broader political dynamics in Slovenia.