Freedom Movement approves merger with LMŠ, SAB
Ljubljana - The senior coalition Freedom Movement approved with more than 90% of votes mergers with the non-parliamentary parties the Marjan Šarec List (LMŠ) and the Alenka Bratušek Party (SAB) in an online congress on Monday.
The merger with SAB was supported by 92% of Freedom Movement members, while 3% voted against. The merger with LMŠ was approved by 93%, while 2% were against, the Freedom Movement said in a press release.
This comes after members of the LMŠ and SAB had already given the green light for the merger.
The Freedom Movement's top body took note of today's vote, thus marking the launch of the final steps leading to the disintegration of the LMŠ and SAB. The Freedom Movement will become their legal successor.
The merger is to be completed in the first half of July, while the first congress of the new party will be held before the local elections in autumn.
Apart from gaining new members, the Freedom Movement will gain new local bodies, as well as two MEPs: Irena Joveva and Klemen Grošelj of the LMŠ.
The two parties will also contribute budgetary funds available to parties that received more than 1% in the most recent general election.
The Freedom Movement also said that the party took note of preparations for the upcoming local and presidential elections today.
Before today's congress, the Freedom Movement head Robert Golob said the diplomat Marta Kos would make the best president. To be endorsed by the party, she needs to get the backing of the party's executive committee and council. A statement by Golob is scheduled for tomorrow.