SocDems propose closer partnership between opposition parties
Ljubljana - The leader of the Social Democrats (SD) Tanja Fajon has proposed that four opposition parties forge a closer partnership, starting with a "partnership discussion" that would chart the way forward.
The discussion would initially feature the SD, Marjan Šarec List (LMŠ), Left and Alenka Bratušek Party (SAB), but discussions are also being held with unaffiliated MPs and MPs of the Pensioners' Party (DeSUS), Fajon told the press on Tuesday.
Fajon wants the opposition to "really firmly strengthen cooperation with a partnership, set its commitments, and convince people in the coming weeks and months that we will be capable of better and more normally managing the situation in this country and, hopefully, winning the next election."
She said cooperation was critical and required strong platforms by individual parties with shared issues. "We've managed to write many shared commitments in the last year and our cooperation is good. But it needs to be upgraded and people need to be convinced that we are a capable and credible alternative."
The SD, LMŠ, Left and SAB had forged an alliance last year in a bid to unseat the Janez Janša government, but the grouping, then branded the Constitutional Arch Coalition (KUL), has been drifting apart after a series of unsuccessful attempts, including a motion of no confidence in the government and an impeachment motion against Janša.
Some political analysts have said that a strong alliance by centre-left parties is the only path to electoral success for the current opposition.