An anti-immigration opposition party led by former prime minister Janez Jansa won the most seats in Slovenia's parliamentary election Sunday, but may struggle to put together a coalition government.
With nearly every vote counted, the Slovenian Democratic Party will finish with about 25 seats in the 90-seat parliament.
The so-called "anti-establishment" party led by former comedian turned politician Marjan Sarec, will finish in second place with about 12 seats.
Both Jansa and Sarec have said they will refuse to work with each other to form a government. Jansa will have to turn to other less popular conservative parties and perhaps leftists in the hope to get enough seats to cobble together a majority.
Jansa did not appear to regard his first-place finish Sunday as a triumph.
"We'll do everything to build a firm and stable government in the interest of Slovenia. If we fail, we'll applaud anyone trying to achieve that. Regardless of whether in government or in opposition, the Slovenian Democratic Party will work for the good of Slovenia and the Slovenian people."
While congratulating Jansa and his party, Sarec repeated his refusal to join in a coalition with the right-wingers and said he will also make an effort to form a government.
Sarec strongly criticized some of Jansa's harsh anti-immigrant rhetoric during the campaign as well as his association with Hungary's far-right Prime Minister Victor Orban.
Jansa called illegal migration one of Europe's most serious problems, saying many come to Europe not to escape war and poverty only to take advantage of the generous European welfare system.
Jansa was prime minister from 2004 to 2008 and again from 2012 to 2013. He was forced to step down because of a corruption conviction that was later overturned.
Slovenia is a former Yugoslav republic that managed to avoid much of the ethnic and political upheaval other republics suffered when Yugoslavia broke apart.
The new prime minister would replace Miro Cerar.
Cerar resigned in March when the Supreme Court threw out a referendum authorizing construction of a major railroad project he insisted was needed to keep the economy growing.
