Ministerial positions

Minister of Defence
In office 7 June 2000 – 30 November 2000
Preceded by	Franci Demšar
Succeeded by	Anton Grizold
In office 16 May 1990 – 29 March 1994
Preceded by	Office established
Succeeded by	Jelko Kacin

Leader of the Slovenian Democratic Party

Incumbent

Assumed office
15 May 1993

Preceded by

Jože Pučnik

Member of the National Assembly
for Ljubljana Bežigrad

Incumbent

Assumed office
8 April 1990

Additional positions

President-in-Office of the European Council
In office 1 January 2008 – 30 June 2008
Preceded by	José Sócrates
Succeeded by	Nicolas Sarkozy

Personal details

Born

Ivan Janša

17 September 1958 (age 67)
Grosuplje, Slovenia

Political party

Slovenian Democratic Party
(since 1992)

Spouse

Urška Bačovnik

(m. 2009)

Domestic partner

Silva Predalič

Children

Education

University of Ljubljana

Ivan Janša (born 17 September 1958), known as Janez Janša, is a politician from Slovenia. He has served as the Prime Minister of Slovenia since May 2026. He also held this important role three other times: from 2004 to 2008, from 2012 to 2013, and from 2020 to 2022. Since 1993, Janša has been the leader of the Slovenian Democratic Party, a major political party in Slovenia.

Janša was the Minister of Defence for Slovenia from 1990 to 1994. He held this position during the Slovenian War of Independence. His second term as prime minister ended in February 2013. He faced legal challenges in 2013, but these were later resolved. After a period in opposition, he became prime minister again in March 2020. His third term ended in May 2022.

Throughout his career, Janša's political ideas have changed. He started in a youth political group and later became a strong supporter of democracy. He has shown support for Ukraine during the conflict with Russia in 2022. He also supports actions against Russia and giving more help to Ukraine. While he has sometimes questioned European unity, as Prime Minister he followed European agreements. He also supported the growth of the European Union. His party is part of a larger group of center-right parties in Europe.

Early Life and School Years

Janša was born in Grosuplje, Slovenia, into a Roman Catholic family. People called him Janez from a young age, which is a version of his birth name, Ivan. His father came from Dobrova, near Ljubljana.

In 1982, Janša finished his studies at the University of Ljubljana. He earned a degree in Defence Studies. After graduating, he started working for the Defence Secretariate in Slovenia.

When he was 17, in 1975, Janša joined a youth political group called the League of Communists. He became a leader in its youth section. In 1983, he left the group after disagreeing with some of its ideas. He tried to rejoin but was not allowed.

Standing Up for Change

In the 1980s, Janša started writing articles that questioned the Yugoslav People's Army. This was a time when Slovenia was beginning to allow more freedom of speech. He wrote for Mladina magazine, sharing his thoughts on democracy.

Because of his critical writings, he faced difficulties. He was not allowed to be re-elected to a leadership role in 1984. In 1985, his passport was taken away. He also found it hard to get a job in state-owned companies. He applied for many jobs without success. During this time, he worked on computer programs and as a mountain guide.

Later, he was able to publish articles again in Mladina. His writings focused on democracy and Slovenia's independence. In the mid-1980s, Janša also worked for a software company. He later started his own software company called Mikro Ada with a friend.

He became involved in movements that promoted peace and protecting the environment. He was a well-known activist in these groups in Slovenia.

Working with Youth Groups

A questionnaire filled out by Janša for the League of Communists

In 1987, Janša helped edit a book of diaries by a former politician, Stane Kavčič. This project was part of an effort to bring new ideas into Slovenian politics.

In 1988, Janša wanted to become president of the League of the Socialist Youth of Slovenia. This was a youth organization that was becoming more open. He suggested that the group should become independent from the main political party. He also proposed it should represent all youth and civic groups in Slovenia.

Facing Challenges and Public Support

On May 31, 1988, Janša was arrested. He was suspected of having a secret military document. Two journalists from Mladina were also arrested. They were tried in a military court. The trial was held in secret and in a language that was not Slovene.

Janša was given a prison sentence. However, many people protested against this decision. He was moved to a different prison after public outcry. This event became known as the JBTZ affair. It led to large protests and helped speed up the move towards democracy in Slovenia. A group called the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights was formed. It quickly grew to over 100,000 members.

Some people believed Janša was arrested because of his critical articles. They also thought it was to stop him from being elected president of the youth organization. Janša was released after about six months. After his release, he became the editor-in-chief of a political magazine called Demokracija (Democracy). He held this job until he was elected to parliament in 1990.

Political Journey

1990–1994: Starting in Politics and Defence Minister

Igor Bavčar and Janša during the Slovenian War of Independence

In 1989, Janša helped create one of Slovenia's first opposition parties, the Slovenian Democratic Union. He became its first vice-president. After the first free elections in May 1990, he became the Minister of Defence. He held this role during the Slovenian War for Independence in 1991. He worked with the Minister of Interior, Igor Bavčar, to plan Slovenia's defence.

In 1992, the Slovenian Democratic Union split into different groups. Janša then joined the Social Democratic Party of Slovenia, which is now called the Slovenian Democratic Party. He continued as Defence Minister until March 1994. In May 1993, he was elected president of the Social Democratic Party of Slovenia. He has led the party ever since.

1994–2004: In Opposition

In the 1996 parliamentary elections, Janša's party gained more votes. It became the third-largest party in parliament. For most of this period, his party was in opposition. They briefly joined a government in 2000.

During his time in opposition, Janša supported Slovenia joining the European Union and NATO. He also worked to improve relations with President Drnovšek.

2004–2008: First Time as Prime Minister

Janša's government in 2004

Janša served as Prime Minister of Slovenia for the first time from November 2004 to November 2008. During this time, Slovenia experienced economic growth.

It was also a period when the president and prime minister often had different political views. The relationship between President Drnovšek and the government became strained. In 2007, after Danilo Türk became president, Janša's government faced a vote of confidence. The government won the vote.

Janša with U.S. President George W. Bush in Washington, July 10, 2006

In December 2011, some recordings of government meetings from Janša's term were shared online. During this time, there were also claims that Janša tried to influence Slovenian media.

2008–2011: Back in Opposition

Janša meets with President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso and Luxembourgish prime minister Jean-Claude Juncker at the EPP Summit in Meise, December 16, 2010

In the November 2008 parliamentary election, Janša's party came in second place. Borut Pahor became the new prime minister.

In December 2011, Janša's party again placed second in the elections. After the first-place party leader could not form a government, Janša was proposed as prime minister. He formed a coalition government and became prime minister on February 10, 2012.

2012–2013: Second Time as Prime Minister

Janša with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, January 16, 2013

Janša's second term as prime minister lasted only one year. During this time, Slovenia was dealing with a global economic crisis. His government introduced measures to help the economy.

In January 2013, a report from the Commission for the Prevention of Corruption raised questions about the finances of political leaders, including Janša. Following this report, some parties left Janša's government. On February 27, 2013, Janša's government ended after a vote of no confidence.

2013–2018: In Opposition and Legal Matters

After his government fell, Janša chose not to return to the National Assembly. He focused on working for his party, writing books, and lecturing.

In June 2013, a court ruled on a case involving Janša and a Finnish company. Janša denied the accusations and said the process was politically motivated. He appealed the ruling.

Imprisonment and Release

Janša with Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán at an EPP Summit, March 22, 2018

In June 2014, Janša began serving a prison term. Many supporters protested this. The German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung reported that legal experts noted issues with the court case. In December 2014, Janša was temporarily released. The Constitutional Court later overturned the conviction in April 2015.

2018–2020: Elections and Return to Government

In the early election on June 3, 2018, Janez Janša was re-elected as a deputy. He received the most votes of all candidates in his district. The Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS) won the election with the largest share of votes, gaining 25 seats in the National Assembly.

2020–2022: Third Time as Prime Minister

Janša alongside U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Ljubljana, August 13, 2020

After the previous prime minister resigned, Janša was chosen to form the new government on March 3, 2020. He officially became prime minister on March 13, 2020.

In November 2020, after the United States presidential election, Janša congratulated Donald Trump on his supposed re-election. He was the only world leader to do so before news organizations announced Joe Biden as the winner.

Janša with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris, July 6, 2021

Janša described the fall of Kabul to the Taliban in August 2021 as a major setback for NATO.

Janša greeting Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv, March 15, 2022

Janša's third term as prime minister ended on May 13, 2022. Robert Golob officially took over as prime minister on June 1, 2022.

Balkan Non-Papers Discussion

In April 2021, some documents, called the Balkan non-papers, were discussed. These documents suggested changes to borders in the Western Balkans. The ideas in these documents were strongly criticized by many political leaders in the region and in Europe.

After these discussions, Janša spoke with a Bosnian leader, stating that he supported the current borders of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

2026 Election and Current Term

In the campaign for the 2026 legislative elections, Janša proposed changes to tax rules. In foreign policy, he continued to support Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. He also commented on relations between Europe and the United States.

After the election, no single party won a majority. Janša was elected as prime minister by parliament after forming a coalition with other parties. He began his current term on May 22, 2026.

Understanding Janšism

Janšism is a term used to describe the political ideas and actions of Janez Janša.

Some people believe that Janša's politics are not unique enough to need a special name. They think the term is sometimes used to criticize him.

Use During 2020 Protests

The term "Janšism" was used in slogans during protests in Slovenia in 2020. These slogans showed opposition to Janša's government. Police investigated some protesters for using a slogan that was similar to an old wartime phrase. However, prosecutors decided that the phrase was meant to express political opposition, not a threat.

Personal Life

Janša enjoys being active outdoors. He is a mountaineer, golfer, footballer, skier, and snowboarder.

He has four children. He had two children, a son and a daughter, with Silva Predalič.

Since July 2009, Janša has been married to Urška Bačovnik. Their son, Črtomir, was born in August 2011. Their second son, Jakob, was born in August 2013.

Author

Janša has written several books. Two of his well-known books are Premiki ("Manoeuvres") and Okopi ("Barricades"). In these books, he shares his thoughts on Slovenia's journey from its past to becoming a democracy. He also wrote about his views on the challenges Slovenia faced.

Podružbljanje varnosti in obrambe ('The Socialization of Security and Defence', editor); Ljubljana: Republiška konferenca ZSMS, 1984.
Stane Kavčič, Dnevnik in spomini ('The Memoirs of Stane Kavčič', co-edited with Igor Bavčar); Ljubljana: ČKZ, 1988.
Na svoji strani ('On One's Own Side', collection of articles); Ljubljana: ČKZ, 1988.
Premiki: nastajanje in obramba slovenske države 1988–1992; Ljubljana: Mladinska knjiga, 1992. English translation: The Making of the Slovenian State, 1988–1992: the Collapse of Yugoslavia; Ljubljana: Mladinska knjiga, 1994.
Okopi: pot slovenske države 1991–1994 ('Trenches: the Evolution of the Slovenian State, 1991–1994'); Ljubljana: Mladinska knjiga, 1994.
Sedem let pozneje ('Seven Years Later'). Ljubljana: Založba Karantanija, 1994.
Osem let pozneje ('Eight Years Later', co-authored with Ivan Borštner and David Tasić); Ljubljana: Založba Karantanija, 1995.
Dvajset let pozneje, Okopi II ('Twenty Years Later, Trenches II'). Ljubljana: Založba Mladinska knjiga, 2014.
White Panther: the first book of The kingdom of Noric. London: IndieBooks, 2018.

Janez Janša facts for kids

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