EU High Representative Kaja Kallas has withdrawn the nomination of Slovenia's former foreign minister Tanja Fajon as the European Union's special representative for the Sahel region in Africa, RTV SLO reported on July 20.

Fajon confirmed the withdrawal to the STA agency, saying she regretted that domestic political disputes had prevailed over Slovenia's and the EU's interests.

"It is not the first time that Slovenia has lost significant influence and, above all, reputation due to domestic political squabbles," Fajon said, adding that the decision represented a missed opportunity for Slovenia to secure a high-level position in European diplomacy.

Fajon said EU institutions should base appointments primarily on candidates' expertise, experience and achievements, rather than political pressure from individual member states. She described the situation as a "very dangerous precedent" and criticised what she called the personal discrediting of Slovenian political representatives in EU capitals.

According to Fajon, Prime Minister Janez Janša and Foreign Minister Tone Kajzer sent letters opposing her candidacy. Janša returned to office in May 2026, succeeding Robert Golob, under whom Fajon had served as foreign minister until the government changed hands.

Fajon rejected Kajzer's claims that she had not informed him about her nomination process, saying she had told him on the day of the foreign ministry handover in early June and that he had initially expressed support for her candidacy. She also said the selection process had been transparent and conducted in line with Slovenian law.

Kajzer disputed Fajon's account, saying he had not been informed about the nomination and that this was not recorded in the official handover documents. He argued that the procedure had raised concerns over possible legal violations and that relevant procedures had been initiated.

The nomination had already run into difficulty in Brussels, with the appointment vote pulled from the agenda of the Committee of Permanent Representatives twice earlier in July, delaying any decision potentially until the autumn.