Slovenia’s president has called parliamentary elections for March 22. President Natasa Pirc-Musar signed a decree on Tuesday setting the date for the vote in the NATO and European Union member country, in what is expected to be a closely contested race.

“The decree… marks the start of an important period for democracy in which citizens will again decide on the future direction of our country,” Pirc-Musar said in a statement.

Since June 2022, Slovenia has been governed by a centre-left coalition led by Prime Minister Robert Golob, which includes ministers from Golob’s Freedom Movement, the Social Democrats, and the Left. The SDS party, led by populist former premier Janez Jansa, has remained the main opposition.

Pirc-Musar said she wanted a new government to be formed quickly and that she would award the mandate “to the one who brings in 46 votes” in the 90-member parliament.

She also urged representatives of political parties and the media to keep the pre-election rhetoric calm and focus on finding solutions to societal challenges rather than on divisions.