Lawyer Pirc Musar Elected Slovenia's First Woman President
Fahad Shabbir (@FahadShabbir) Published November 14, 2022 | 08:20 AM
Ljubljana, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 14th Nov, 2022 ) :Slovenians on Sunday elected Natasa Pirc Musar, a lawyer linked to former US first lady Melania Trump, as the country's first woman president.
Pirc Musar, backed by the centre-left government, beat ex-foreign minister Anze Logar, a veteran of conservative politics, in a presidential run-off in the EU country of two million people.
Pirc Musar, who headed the country's data protection authority for a decade, won almost 54 percent of the vote, ahead of Logar who got just over 46 per cent, according to the election commission.
"Slovenia has elected a president who believes in the European Union, in the democratic values on which the EU was founded," she told reporters, adding she would "give all my efforts so that politicians unify on strategic issues".
The human rights advocate has vowed to be "the voice of women" in Slovenia and abroad and a "moral authority" in her new role, which is largely ceremonial.
"The president cannot be neutral... and have no opinion... I have never been afraid to speak out," the former television presenter, 54, told AFP ahead of Sunday's vote.
As a lawyer, Pirc Musar was hired to protect the interests of Slovenian-born Trump during her husband's presidency, stopping companies attempting to commercialise products with her name.
During the campaign, Pirc Musar, who is a keen motorcyclist, came under attack because of her husband's lucrative investments -- especially in tax havens.
The results mark a fresh setback for the country's conservatives.
Logar, 46, ran as an independent but is a long-time member of the Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS) of Janez Jansa, who failed in his bid to be re-elected as premier in April.
Critics accused Jansa of attacking media freedom and the judiciary and undermining the rule of law in his latest term in office.
"This election confirmed once again the vote against Janez Jansa. Logar is not the biggest loser tonight but it is Jansa," Vlado Miheljak, a professor at Ljubljana University, told AFP.
Rok Novak, an economist in his early 50s, said at a Ljubljana polling station that he hoped a candidate that "will bring people together" would win.
"Slovenia is so polarised right now." Logar congratulated Pirc Musar.
"I expect she will be the president of all of us, that is what Slovenia needs," he told reporters.
Logar came out ahead in the first round last month when the centre-left votes were split largely between Pirc Musar and another candidate.
Incumbent Borut Pahor, a former Social Democrat, could not run for re-election after having held the post for two five-year stints.
Pirc Musar will take over the post by the end of next month.
Pensioner Silva Lotric was optimistic as she cast her ballot.
"If my candidate wins, she will definitely bring changes," she said.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Law Minister expresses Govt's resolve to address issue of missing persons
Rizwan’s batting order may be changed: Sources
Nawaz Sharif to visit Guangzhou exhibition in China
FM Dar not traveling to China: Foreign Office
PM takes notice of deliberate delay in tax cases
Iranian President visits Allama Iqbal’s mausoleum
Iranian President arrives in Lahore today
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 23 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 23 April 2024
Islam enlightened world with its teachings about knowledge: Dr Jamileh
Record London close as oil prices drop on easing Middle East fears
TV tower in Kharkiv struck as Russia captured village
More Stories From Miscellaneous
-
Iranian president Raisi given guard of honour at PM House
1 day ago -
Intellectuals, writers accolades Naseer Mirza on his literary contribution
2 days ago -
Bahawalpur Adabi Sangat hosts memorable mushaira
2 days ago -
Cattle farming vital to alleviate poverty in rural areas
2 days ago -
Pakistan: A land of tourism, archeological wonders
2 days ago -
Transforming education sector: from job hunters to job creators
4 days ago
-
Amjad Bobby remembered on 19th death anniversary for timeless contributions to music
8 days ago -
Legendary actor Nadeem’s 26 films released on Eid-ul-Fitr days in 50 years
9 days ago -
Besant Hall Cultural Centre to celebrate evening with Sanam Marvi on 26 April
9 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur presents program “Eidi Shidi”
12 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur to broadcast Eid programs
14 days ago -
DC, DPO Haripur inspect bus terminals to review fares compliance
16 days ago