The SDS party of veteran right-wing leader Janez Jansa is leading in Slovenia’s parliamentary election, according to an exit poll published after voting ended on Sunday.
The exit poll for public television gave Jansa’s SDS 24.4 percent with the “anti-system” party of comedian-turned-politician Marjan Sarec coming second on 12.6 percent.
If confirmed in official results, the results mean a coalition government likely will have to be formed. Preliminary results will be issued by the State Election Commission later on Sunday.
Jansa was forced to resign five years ago after a corruption scandal but has made a comeback, thanks in part to his strong rhetoric on immigration.
The right-wing leader, who formed a close partnership with populist Hungarian leader Viktor Orban, has vowed to defend the “Schengen border of Europe”.
Slovenia was a key transit route for migrants and refugees trying to reach northern European states during the European refugee crisis of 2015.
Most were fleeing war and poverty in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia.
No single party is expected to pick up a majority in Sunday’s election and other parties have promised not to work with Jansa if there is no outright winner.
Balkan analyst, Klisman Murati, told Al Jazeera that rhetoric on immigration was being used to distract from economic issues.
“It’s an easy stance to take if you tell the people immigration is the main issue and that’s why your country is not prospering,” he said.
“It’s worked to an extent in the US, it’s worked as a start-up movement in France with Marine Le Pen, It’s taken popularity in other EU countries.”
Far-right and anti-immigration parties have made massive gains across Europe in recent years.
Anti-immigration parties have won elections in Italy, Poland, and Hungary, and are part of a coalition government in Austria.
Prime Minister Miro Cerar resigned in March after the Supreme Court ruled to annul a September 2017 referendum vote in support of a one billion euro ($1.17bn) railway project.
SOURCE: Al Jazeera and news agencies