Slovenia: first session of the parliament

Slovenia: first session of the parliament

Six parties that passed the 5 percent threshold in June 17 general elections will comprise the 150-seat parliament.

The leftist Smer-Social Democratic Party led by Robert Fico won the most votes and will lead the coalition with the right-wing Slovak National Party and the People's Party-Movement for a Democratic Slovakia, led by autocratic ex-Prime Minister Vladimir Meciar.

The ruling coalition will have 85 seats. Lawmakers were sworn in during a brief ceremony and signed up for committees, the AP reports.

Slovak President Ivan Gasparovic will appoint the new Cabinet, led by Fico, later Tuesday, following the formal resignation of the outgoing government of Mikulas Dzurinda.