Slovenian President raises Palestinian flag at palace

• Move follows return of PM Janez Janša and a rightward policy shift
• Pirc Musar says flag symbolizes human dignity and opposition to rights violations
• Flag was first raised in 2024 before Slovenia recognized Palestine

A divide has broken out at the Slovenian government. On Friday, the country's Presidential Palace prominently raised the Palestinian flag, just 24 hours after newly appointed right-wing Prime Minister Janez Janša ordered its removal from the central government headquarters.

The fast-moving diplomatic friction highlights a sharp reorientation of Slovenia's foreign policy following a recent transfer of power in Ljubljana.

Palace countermands executive order

President Nataša Pirc Musar took to the social media platform X to announce that she had personally authorized the flag to be displayed on the facade of the Presidential Palace. It will remain outside for one week before being relocated to a prominent position inside the building.

Genocid nad Palestinci ni ustavljen in ljudje v Gazi in na Zahodnem bregu ne živijo v miru in dostojanstvu. Danes izobešena zastava Palestine na pročelju Predsedniške palače, ki bo tu ostala en teden, potem pa bo, kot opomin vsem, ki obiščejo moj urad, stala v notranjih… pic.twitter.com/om6X2zbNBM

— Nataša Pirc Musar (@nmusar) June 5, 2026

In a direct rebuke to the incoming administration's pivot, Pirc Musar framed the decision around international law and humanitarian values.

"The genocide against Palestinians has not been halted, and people in Gaza and the West Bank do not live in peace and dignity," the President stated.

She added that the flag serves as "a simple call to respect the fundamental civilizational principle: human dignity - for all," and stands against ongoing human rights violations worldwide.

Janša’s sharp pivot toward 'Israel'

The political showdown was ignited immediately after Prime Minister Janez Janša took office following a parliamentary confidence vote.

Almost immediately after the power transition, Janša's right-leaning coalition ordered the removal of the Palestinian flag from the facade of the main government headquarters, while leaving the Slovenian, Ukrainian, and European Union flags untouched.

Janša, a vocal defender of 'Israel' who has frequently criticized past pro-Palestinian initiatives as illegal, has indicated that his fourth term will focus on rebuilding ties with Jerusalem.

The policy pivot represents a total reversal from the previous center-left government led by Robert Golob.

Slovenia's fractured stance on Palestine

The Palestinian flag was initially raised on public buildings in May 2024 under the Golob administration.

That symbolic move paved the way for Slovenia to formally recognize the State of Palestine on June 4, 2024, joining a wave of European nations that did so amid mounting global pressure over the war in Gaza.

While Janša's executive branches move to distance the small EU nation from its previous anti-genocide declarations and arms trade bans against Israel, President Pirc Musar’s palace deployment ensures that the symbol of Palestinian statehood remains visibly anchored in the capital.