The head of the DeSUS Party, Karl Erjavec, is making it clear: If we're going into a coalition, we want that position for ourselves. Today MPs have also confirmed all deputy mandates.

Milan Brglez was put forward as a candidate for Speaker of the National Assembly by the biggest party, Miro Cerar's SMC. His election to the post was never under question, as the Pensioner's Party DeSUS, SD Social Democrats, the Alliance of Alenka Bratušek (ZaAB), the United Left and New Slovenia NSi Party all voiced their support for Brglez. 66 members of parliament gave their votes for Brglez, one voted against and 19 ballots were invalid.
Upon being elected Brglez thanked everyone for their support. He continued to say that the post of Speaker of the National Assembly was a key position that symbolized the rule of people. He added that the position had to be performed adequately, through cooperation and dialogue. "I promise that I will be open to dialogue and that I will respect everyone. I promise that I won't be giving lectures on how to act and behave, at least not with words. I will try to do that with my actions."

Brglez: This is a truly special moment
At the end of the session Brglez also emphasized the importance the National Assembly’s inaugural event has within our political system and country. Because of the "importance of the moment" he said he did not wish to open other issues today. He then invited all deputies to freely approach him in the future.
"I expect our cooperation in the future to be honest, both at times when it will be relatively easy to do so, and at times when things won't develop the way we expect," is what Brglez said.
DeSUS is still eyeing Brglez's position
However, things have already become complicated. The head of the Pensioner's Party DeSUS, Karl Erjavec, said their conditions for joining a coalition were three ministerial posts, the harmonization of pensions in the case of a 2 % economic growth, holiday allowances for pensioners, and the post of Speaker of the National Assembly. He stressed that the conditions for joining a coalition were confirmed by the executive committee of the DeSUS Party.
Erjavec also explained the unexpected withdrawal of his candidacy for Speaker of the National Assembly. He reminded of the negotiations that followed the previous parliamentary elections, when all talks with Zoran Janković (Positive Slovenia) fell through despite a signed contract. When Erjavec accepted the candidacy on Tuesday, he expected that the outlines of the new coalition and coalition agreement would be known by Thursday. However, as there were still many questions yet to answered, Erjavec said he could not take the risk and accept a position "he would later regret".
Cerar: Playing with the position is irresponsible
After the session Miro Cerar said his party would not agree to more bargaining for the position of Speaker of the National Assembly. Cerar, who is also the most likely PM-designate, added that Erjavec has indeed pulled off a few "unexpected moves", but stressed that his own party and a big majority of the National Assembly have already backed Brglez as a credible and good candidate.
"The National Assembly is an important institution. It would be irresponsible to propose temporary candidates," Cerar emphasised.