Slovenian lawmakers voted 75-0 on Wednesday to strip former Prime Minister Robert Golob of parliamentary immunity, allowing prosecutors to investigate allegations he interfered in a police overhaul at the start of his tenure in 2022. Golob, who now serves as opposition leader and is the main political rival of current Prime Minister Janez Jansa, is suspected of giving gifts for illegal mediation — a crime punishable by up to six years in prison.

The move marks a significant escalation in the political rivalry between Golob and Jansa, whose governments have traded accusations of institutional abuse. Golob led a center-left coalition to victory in 2022, ousting Jansa, but Jansa returned to power in a subsequent election. The probe centers on personnel changes in the national police force shortly after Golob took office, which critics allege were politically motivated.

Golob has denied wrongdoing, calling the investigation a politically driven attempt to sideline him. His supporters argue the immunity vote undermines democratic norms, while Jansa's allies say it ensures accountability. The case is expected to dominate Slovenia's political landscape ahead of the next parliamentary election.