Urška Bačovnik Janša took a leave of absence to accompany Prime Minister Janez Janša to the military parade in Paris

On July 15, 2026, Urška Bačovnik Janša, the wife of Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša, took time off work to accompany her husband during his visit to Paris for a military parade held on Bastille Day. The event took place at the Élysée Palace, part of a gathering known as “the coalition of wills” in support of Ukraine, hosted in the evening prior to France’s national holiday. During the visit, Janša met with French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron, among other dignitaries. The prime minister and his wife arrived in Paris on the morning of July 14, joining a list of world leaders invited to attend the military parade marking the anniversary of the French Revolution. According to officials in the prime minister's office, Bačovnik Janša had been fulfilling her regular professional duties earlier in the week before taking a summer vacation to accompany Janša. This marked her second appearance in the role of first lady since assuming the position following her husband’s election in 2022. The couple had previously traveled together to Turkey for a meeting of NATO foreign ministers, where they were guests of the Turkish hosts. In both instances, Janša’s wife participated in official events, including formal receptions and public appearances, though she did not hold any official title or authority within the government. Under Slovenian law, spouses of heads of state do not have specific rights or obligations beyond those afforded to any citizen, and their involvement in public affairs is typically informal. The visit to Paris followed a pattern of international engagements for Janša, who has frequently represented Slovenia abroad in recent years. His participation in such events often includes meetings with foreign leaders, diplomatic discussions, and symbolic gestures aimed at strengthening bilateral relations. The military parade in Paris was one of several high-profile gatherings planned for the occasion, drawing leaders from across Europe and beyond. Officials in the Slovenian government confirmed that Bačovnik Janša’s absence from work was approved under standard procedures for public officials. Her presence at the event was noted as a gesture of solidarity with France and its efforts to support Ukraine, which has been a central focus of European diplomacy in recent months. While there were no official statements directly linking her attendance to broader political goals, the timing of the visit coincided with increased attention on Ukraine’s security and international cooperation. Looking ahead, the prime minister’s schedule is expected to continue with domestic and international commitments, with further details likely to emerge in the coming days. For now, the visit to Paris represents another chapter in the ongoing diplomatic engagement of Slovenia’s leadership, with family members playing an increasingly visible role in public affairs.