Janez Jansa, leader of the Social democratic party (SDS) signs an oath after the Slovenian parliament confirmed him as the euro zone member's new Prime Minister in Ljubljana, Jan. 28, 2012.
Slovenia holds a referendum March 25 to decide on overturning a family code passed by the center-left coalition governing in June 2011. The new code expanded the rights and benefits of same-sex couples and expanded provisions protecting children. The country’s Constitutional Court approved the vote last year after the Slovenian Civilian Initiative for Family and the Rights of Children challenged the measures. The government of Borut Pahor that introduced the code lost a snap election last December but the changes still enjoy public support. Slovenia likes referendums: last year it held three on June 5 to consult voters on reforming the pension system, opening Yugoslavia-era secret-service archives and introducing stronger measures to combat “illicit” work. All three were decisively defeated.